1 So let us fear that when the promise for us to be admitted to His rest is still remaining valid some one of you may be found to have missed it. 2 For we have had the good news told to us as well as they, but the message heard did them no good, because they were not by faith made one with those who heeded it. 3 For we who have believed are being admitted to that rest, just as He has said: "As in my anger I took oath, they shall not be admitted to my rest," although God's works had been completed at the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere He speaks of the seventh day: "On the seventh day God rested from all His works";
5 while in this passage again He says: "They shall not be admitted to my rest." 6 Since then it still remains that some are being admitted to it and that those who first had the good news told to them were not admitted because of disobedience, 7 He again fixes a definite day, saying long afterward through David, as has been quoted: "If you but hear His voice, you must not harden your hearts."
8 For if Joshua had really given them rest, He would not afterward have been speaking of another day. 9 So a sabbath of rest is still awaiting God's people. 10 For whoever is admitted into God's rest himself has rested from his works, just as God did. 11 So let us do our best to be admitted to that rest, so that not one of us may fail through the same sort of disobedience.
12 For God's message is alive and full of power in action, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the depths of soul and spirit, to the dividing of joints and marrow, and passing judgment on the thoughts and purposes of the heart. 13 No creature of His can escape God's sight, but everything is bare and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we have to give account.
14 Since then we have in Jesus, the Son of God, a great High Priest who has gone right up to heaven itself, let us continue to keep a firm hold on our profession of faith in Him. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who is incapable of sympathizing with us in our weaknesses, but we have One who was tempted in every respect as we are, and yet without committing any sin. 16 So let us continue coming with courage to the throne of God's unmerited favor to obtain His mercy and to find His spiritual strength to help us when we need it.