Young's Literal Translation YLT
The Message Bible MSG
1 We may fear, then, lest a promise being left of entering into His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short,
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For as long, then, as that promise of resting in him pulls us on to God's goal for us, we need to be careful that we're not disqualified.
2 for we also are having good news proclaimed, even as they, but the word heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard,
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We received the same promises as those people in the wilderness, but the promises didn't do them a bit of good because they didn't receive the promises with faith.
3 for we do enter into the rest -- we who did believe, as He said, `So I sware in My anger, If they shall enter into My rest -- ;' and yet the works were done from the foundation of the world,
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If we believe, though, we'll experience that state of resting. But not if we don't have faith. Remember that God said, Exasperated, I vowed, "They'll never get where they're going, never be able to sit down and rest."
4 for He spake in a certain place concerning the seventh [day] thus: `And God did rest in the seventh day from all His works;'
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Somewhere it's written, "God rested the seventh day, having completed his work,"
5 and in this [place] again, `If they shall enter into My rest -- ;'
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but in this other text he says, "They'll never be able to sit down and rest."
6 since then, it remaineth for certain to enter into it, and those who did first hear good news entered not in because of unbelief --
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So this promise has not yet been fulfilled. Those earlier ones never did get to the place of rest because they were disobedient.
7 again He doth limit a certain day, `To-day,' (in David saying, after so long a time,) as it hath been said, `To-day, if His voice ye may hear, ye may not harden your hearts,'
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God keeps renewing the promise and setting the date as today, just as he did in David's psalm, centuries later than the original invitation: Today, please listen, don't turn a deaf ear . . .
8 for if Joshua had given them rest, He would not concerning another day have spoken after these things;
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And so this is still a live promise. It wasn't canceled at the time of Joshua; otherwise, God wouldn't keep renewing the appointment for "today."
9 there doth remain, then, a sabbatic rest to the people of God,
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The promise of "arrival" and "rest" is still there for God's people.
10 for he who did enter into his rest, he also rested from his works, as God from His own.
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God himself is at rest. And at the end of the journey we'll surely rest with God.
11 May we be diligent, then, to enter into that rest, that no one in the same example of the unbelief may fall,
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So let's keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience.
12 for the reckoning of God is living, and working, and sharp above every two-edged sword, and piercing unto the dividing asunder both of soul and spirit, of joints also and marrow, and a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart;
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God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey.
13 and there is not a created thing not manifest before Him, but all things [are] naked and open to His eyes -- with whom is our reckoning.
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Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it - no matter what. The High Priest Who Cried Out in Pain
14 Having, then, a great chief priest passed through the heavens -- Jesus the Son of God -- may we hold fast the profession,
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Now that we know what we have - Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God - let's not let it slip through our fingers.
15 for we have not a chief priest unable to sympathise with our infirmities, but [one] tempted in all things in like manner -- apart from sin;
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We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all - all but the sin.
16 we may come near, then, with freedom, to the throne of the grace, that we may receive kindness, and find grace -- for seasonable help.
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So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.