Preface: There are three topics covered in this chapter: (1) the promise of the rest for this dispensation; (2) the Word of God is alive and powerful; and (3) Jesus is our great High Priest.

Bible Summary: Let us fear lest anyone fails to reach the promised rest. The word of God judges the heart. So we boldly approach the throne of grace.

This should be the most extensive examination of Hebrews 4 available, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text.

Brief Overview:

Outline of Chapter 4:

Preface

Introduction

         vv.     1–11         Endeavor to Enter into the Rest of God

         vv.    12–13         The Word of God

         vv.    14–16         Jesus is our Great High Priest

Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Preface

         Preface               Brief Overview

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Hebrews 4 (by Various Commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of Hebrews 4 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About Hebrews 4

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Prequel to Hebrews 4

         Introduction         The Principals of Hebrews 4

         Introduction         The Places of Hebrews 4

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Hebrews 4

         Introduction         Outlines and Summaries of Hebrews 4 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Hebrews 4 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction 

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         Introduction         The Big Picture (Hebrews –)

         Introduction 

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         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions

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         v.       3              The Sabbath and the Rest of God

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         v.       5              Three Stages of Rest/Three Stages of Sanctification

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         v.       9              The Christian Believer is Not Under the Sabbath

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         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why Hebrews 4 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from Hebrews 4

         Summary            Jesus Christ in Hebrews 4

         Summary            A Brief Review of Hebrews 4

         Summary            Key Principles for the Translation of the Tree of Life Version

         Summary 

         Addendum          Living the Christian Life

         Addendum          The Doctrine of Human Good

         Addendum          The Doctrine of Divine Good (mostly from James Allen)

         Addendum          Related Links To Human Good and Divine Good

         Addendum          The Doctrine of the Sabbath Day

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Hebrews 4

         Addendum 

         Addendum          Doctrinal Teachers Who Have Taught Hebrews 4

         Addendum          Word Cloud from the Kukis Paraphrase of Hebrews 4

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Hebrews 4

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An Introduction to Hebrews 4

I ntroduction: Hebrews 4 can be broken down into three sections. The first section it is all about the rest which is offered in this dispensation. This rest was offered to the Exodus generation, but they rejected it because they did not mix the promises of God with faith. As a result, they never advanced in the spiritual life. The spiritual state of Gen X (the older members of the Exodus generation) was one of rebellion. They rejected God and His provisions; and, therefore, they rejected His rest. We, as believers in this dispensation, are not to reject His rest.

The writer of Hebrews quotes from the Old Testament—that is, the Word of God, more than any other writer of Scripture. He is attempting to show the Jewish believers that they can look to their writings to find Jesus. Therefore, the Word of God is alive and power, and can even look inside this generation of believers and see their intents and underlying motivations.

The final section of this chapter is all about Jesus being our High Priest. Now, there are two ways to approach this: the writer could say, the High Priest is a type of Messiah; but the High Priest of the Jews at this time had so distorted Scripture, that typology is not brought into the picture.

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Endeavor to Enter into the Rest of God

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       I will use the Westcott-Hort Greek text as the basis for my English translation. I use that test primarily because e-sword has a nice module by Rob Wolfram which has the interlinear English text, Strong’s #’s, and the Greek morphology. The e-sword tab is IWH+P. I do not use their English text for my translation. Also, throughout, I take in consideration alternate readings.

As a young Christian, I was quite interested in the alternative readings. After many decades of study, I have found that, as with the Hebrew text, disputed readings rarely have any affect on the interpretation of a text (apart from perhaps a half-dozen fairly well-known alternate readings, like the end of the book of Mark).

I will compare the Greek text to English translations of the Latin and Syriac (= Aramaic) texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation and George Lamsa’s translation from the Syriac. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.).

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls are irrelevant, as they preceded the writing of the New Testament by over 200 years.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    Therefore, let us be fearing lest [there be] a continual forsaking of a promise to enter into a rest of Him. Might keep on thinking any one of you (all) have fallen short. For even we keep on being announcements of good news having been proclaimed [to us] even as them; but has not been a profit the word of the hearing of them, not having mixed the faith with the things being heard.

Complete Apostles’ Bible      Therefore let us fear, lest while the promise remains to enter into His rest, anyone of you seems to have fallen short.

For indeed we have had the gospel preached to us just as those also; but the word which they heard did not profit those, not having been mixed with faith in those having heard it.

Revised Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) Let us fear therefore lest, the promise being left of entering into his rest, any of you should be thought to be wanting.

For unto us also it hath been declared in like manner as unto them. But the word of hearing did not profit them, not being mixed with faith of those things they heard.

V. Alexander’s Aramaic T.     .

Eastern Aramaic Mnscrpts     .

James Murdock’s Syriac NT Let us fear, therefore, lest while there is a firm promise of entering into his rest, any among you should be found coming short of entering.

For to us also is the announcement, as well as to them: but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not mingled with the faith of those who heard it.

Original Aramaic NT              Let us fear, therefore, lest, while The Promise of entering into his rest stands, any of you should be found to come short of entering.

For we also were evangelized as they were, but the word did not benefit those who heard, because it was not joined with faith by those who heard it.

Plain English Aramaic Bible   .

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         .

Significant differences: 

English Translations:          I have included translations which I disagree with and footnotes that I do not necessarily agree with. If I believe that the author is too far from the truth, I may even address that at the footnote. However, nearly all of the correct commentary will be found following the Greek text box and the translation of each phrase.

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             Let us then, though we still have God's word that we may come into his rest, go in fear that some of you may be unable to do so. 

And, truly, the good news came to us, even as it did to them; but the hearing of the word did them no good, because they were not united in faith with the true hearers.

Bible in Worldwide English     We still have Gods promise that people will go into his resting place. So let us take care that not one of you will be kept out.

The good news has been told to us just as it was told to the people in the desert. But the message which they heard did not do them any good. Even though they heard it, they did not believe it.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  And we still have the promise that God gave those people. That promise is that we can enter his place of rest. So we should be very careful that none of you fails to get that promise. Yes, the good news about it was told to us just as it was to them. But the message they heard did not help them. They heard it but did not accept it with faith.

God’s Word™                         God's promise that we may enter his place of rest still stands. We are afraid that some of you think you won't enter his place of rest. We have heard the same Good News that your ancestors heard. But the message didn't help those who heard it in the past because they didn't believe.

Good News Bible (TEV)         Now, God has offered us the promise that we may receive that rest he spoke about. Let us take care, then, that none of you will be found to have failed to receive that promised rest. For we have heard the Good News, just as they did. They heard the message, but it did them no good, because when they heard it, they did not accept it with faith.

The Message                         .

NIRV                                      .

New Life Version                    .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Contemporary English V.       The promise to enter the place of rest is still good, and we must take care that none of you miss out. We have heard the message, just as they did. But they failed to believe what they heard, and the message did not do them any good.

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Living Translation           .

The Passion Translation        Now God has offered to us the same promise of entering into his realm of resting in confident faith. So we must be extremely careful to ensure that we all embrace the fullness of that promise and not fail to experience it.  For we have heard the good news of deliverance just as they did, yet they didn’t join their faith with the Word. Instead, what they heard didn’t affect them deeply, for they doubted.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  Therefore, let us be very careful so that none of you might seem to have failed to reach the promise left behind for you to enter God's rest.  

For we were told the good news just as they were. But that message did not benefit those who did not unite in faith with those who obeyed. [ Other versions read, But that message did not benefit those who heard it without joining faith to it. ]

Williams’ New Testament      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.

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.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            So we should be afraid that as a promise is left to go into His resting place, some from you may not ever seem to have lacked it.

You see, we are also people with whom the good news has been shared, exactly as those people also were, but the message of what was heard didn't benefit those people who had not been mixed together with the trust with the people who heard.

Common English Bible           .

Len Gane Paraphrase           Therefore, let us be very careful, lest, since the promise of entering into his rest still remains, any of you perhaps will fall short of it.

For the good news was spoken to us as well as to them, but the message heard [by them] did not benefit them, [because it was] not united with faith in those who heard it, yet we who have believed enter rest, just like he said, "As I have sworn in my wrath, those people will never enter into my rest," even though the works were finished from the foundation of the world. V. 3 is included for context.

A. Campbell's Living Oracles Wherefore, let us be afraid, lest a promise of entrance into the rest, being left, any of you should seem to fall short of it.

For glad tidings have been proclaimed to us, as well as to them: but the word which they heard did not profit them; not being mixed with faith in them who heard it.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

NT for Everyone                     .

20^th Century New Testament We must, therefore, be very careful, though there is a promise still standing that we shall enter upon God's Rest, that none of you even appear to have missed it.

For we have had the Good News told us just as they had. But the Message which they heard did them no good, since they did not share the faith of those who were attentive to it.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

An Understandable Version   .

Berean Study Bible                Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it. 

For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it.

Christian Standard Bible        .

Conservapedia Translation    .

Evangelical Heritage V.          .

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                .

Free Bible Version                 Therefore let’s take care to make sure that even though God has given us his promise of entering his rest, none of you miss out!

For we’ve heard the good news just like they did, but it didn’t help them because they didn’t accept and trust in what they heard.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

International Standard V        We Must Enter the Rest

Therefore, as long as the promise of entering his rest remains valid, let us be afraid! Otherwise, some of you will fail [Lit. afraid lest someone among you fails] to reach it, because we have had the good news told to us as well as to them. But the message they heard did not help them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened to it.

Lexham Bible                         .

Montgomery NT                     Let us be on our guard, then, though there is a promise still standing of being admitted to his rest, lest any one of you should be found to have come short of it.

For the Good News is come to us just as it did to them. But the message they heard was of no benefit to them, because they did not share the faith of those who gave heed to it.

NIV, ©2011                             .

Riverside New Testament      .

Leicester A. Sawyer’s NT      Let us fear, therefore, lest at any time a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to come short.

For we have also received the good news as they did; but the word of the report did not profit them, not being accompanied with faith in those who heard.

The Spoken English NT         .

UnfoldingWord Literal Text    .

Urim-Thummim Version         Let us therefore fear, unless a promise being left us of entering into his Resting Place, any of you should seem to come short of it. Because to us was the Good News announced, as well as to them: but the Word heard did not profit them, not being mixed with Faith in them that heard it.

Weymouth New Testament    Therefore let us be on our guard lest perhaps, while He still leaves us a promise of being admitted to His rest, some one of you should be found to have fallen short of it. For Good News has been brought to us as truly as to them; but the message they heard failed to benefit them, because they were not one in faith with those who gave heed to it.

Wikipedia Bible Project          This project apparently quit in the middle of Hebrews 2.

Worsley’s New Testament    Let us therefore fear least a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of us should seem to fall short of it: for we are graciously offered it, as they also were. But the word, which they heard, did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)     .

The Heritage Bible                 .

New American Bible (2002)   .

New American Bible (2011)   .

New English Bible–1970        .

New Jerusalem Bible             .

New RSV                               .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           .

exeGeses companion Bible   .

Hebraic Roots Bible               Therefore, Let us fear, lest while the promise of entering into His rest remains, lest some among you find they are falling short from entering.

For, indeed, we have had the good news preached to us, even as they also; but the Word did not profit those hearing it, not having been mixed with faith in the ones who heard.

Holy New Covenant Trans.    The promise of going into God’s place of rest is still open, but we should be careful. If you’re not, some of you might not make it. We were told good news as they were, but the message they heard did not help them because they didn’t believe it.

The Scriptures 2009              Therefore, since a promise remains of entering into His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.  For indeed the Good News was brought to us as well as to them, but the word which they heard did not profit them, not having been mixed with belief in those who heard it.

Tree of Life Version                Let us fear then! Though a promise of entering His rest is left open, some of you would seem to have fallen short.

For we also have had Good News proclaimed to us, just as they did. But the word they heard did not help them, because they were not unified with those who listened in faith.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...[We] may fear so not so being left promise {us} to enter to the rest [of] him may suppose Someone from you* to have lacked {it} and for [We] are Having Been Informed as (And) Those {were} but not benefits The Word [of] the hearing those not having been united [by] the faith [to] the [men] hearing {him}...

Alpha & Omega Bible            THEREFORE, LET US FEAR IF, WHILE A PROMISE REMAINS OF ENTERING HIS REST, ANY ONE OF YOU MAY SEEM TO HAVE COME SHORT OF IT.

FOR INDEED WE HAVE HAD GOOD NEWS PREACHED TO US, EVEN AS THEY ALSO; BUT THE WORD THEY HEARD DID NOT PROFIT THEM, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNITED BY FAITH IN THOSE WHO HEARD. †(Many people do not keep the 7th day holy unto the lord as instructed in the 10 commandments because they do not have the faith & belief in Jesus to provide for their necessities to make up for lost work.)

Awful Scroll Bible                   Let us consequently fear, not-lest-at-any-time, the heralding-before is being accordingly-left- us -behind, at any time to come-towards into His ceasing-down; some out of yous may be supposed to have been deficient of it.

Indeed, for we are having been heralded-the-Good-Tidings, wholly-accordingly-to-that even-they, however the Word heard is of no value to them, not having been mingled-with Confidence of them hearing.

Concordant Literal Version    We may be afraid then, lest at some time, a promise being left of entering into His stopping, anyone of you may be seeming to be deficient."

For we also have been evangelized, even as those also. But the word heard does not benefit those hearers, not having been blended together with faith in those who hear."

exeGeses companion Bible   The SHABBATH OF ELOHIM

So awe, lest ever a pre-evangelism

of entering his shabbath remains,

any of you think you fell behind.

For we were evangelized exactly as they:

but the word they heard benefited them not,

not being co-mingled with the trust

by them who heard it.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           Therefore, let us walk in yir’at Shomayim, for fear that, while the havtachah (promise) of entering the menuchah of Hashem is still open, anyone of you should seem to have fallen short of it.

For indeed we have had Besuras HaGeulah preached to us, just as they did also; but the Dvar Hashem preached did not make that generation benefit, because hearing did not form an agudah with emunah [faith].

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

An Understandable Version   So, as long as God’s promise of entering into a state of rest with Him [still] remains, we should fear that someone among you will appear [in the end] to have fallen short of [attaining] it. [Note: In this section “entering into rest” refers to Israel entering Canaan (verses 6, 8) and to Christians entering heaven (verses 3, 9) . The “Sabbath day rest” is presented as a type of both]. For we [Christians] have had the good news [about resting with God] preached to us, just as the Israelites [had good news proclaimed to them. See 1:16-19]. But the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not coupled with faith by those who heard it.

Benjamin Brodie’s trans.       Therefore, let us be concerned [out of fear and respect], that having been left with the promise [unclaimed] of entering into His rest [rest of faithfulness and obedience], some of you might be inclined through subjective thinking [erroneous over-assessment of one’s spiritual status] to come short of it [fail to reach the goal because you quit before you were finished].

For we [growing believers] also reside, having ourselves heard the good news [teaching on inheritance-salvation], just as they also [the Exodus generation], but the Word of hearing [Bible doctrine taught by Moses] did not profit them [fell on deaf ears], because it was not united with faith [doctrine builds upon doctrine to create a system, structure or edification complex] by those who heard [negative volition prevented the doctrinal system from being constructed in the mentality of the soul].

The Expanded Bible              .

Jonathan Mitchell NT             With [the] announced promise to enter into His rest (or; the ceasing which is Him) continuing in being remaining left behind down on this level [for us] and fully left [open], we should, then, be at once caused to fear (= take respectful care and be attentive), lest at some point anyone from among you folks may be appearing (or: seeming; or: being of the opinion) to have been behind (to have come to be in the rear; or: to be deficient; or: = to have missed it)!

For you see, we are people having been addressed with goodness (or: being brought a message of ease and well-being), even as those folks, also. But the Word (or: message; thought; idea; Logos) which they heard did not profit (or: benefit) those folks – [it] not having been mixed and blended together with faith, trust or loyalty in (or: by; for; with) those at that time hearing [it]. [with other MSS: – {they} not being folks that had been co-mingled by conviction and loyalty with those paying attention and listening.]

Syndein/Thieme                     .

Translation for Translators     .

The Voice                               .

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

Lexham Bible                         The Rest that Remains for the People of God

Therefore let us fear, while there [*Here “while ” is supplied as a component of the participle (“remains”) which is understood as temporal] remains a promise of entering into his rest, that none of you appear to fall short of it . For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us [Literally “for we are also having had the good news proclaimed”], just as those also did , but the message they heard [Literally “of hearing”] did not benefit them, because they [*Here “because ” is supplied as a component of the participle (“united”) which is understood as causal] were not united with those who heard it in faith.

NET Bible®                             .

New American Bible (2011)   .

The Passion Translation        .

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

The Spoken English NT         Entering the Rest That God Has Promised
So let’s be extremely careful. Because the promise of coming into God’s rest is still open, and none of you should appear to miss out on it.^a

After all, we’ve had the good news preached to us just like them. But the message they heard didn’t benefit them-because they weren’t united^b in faith with those who truly listened to it.^c

^a.Or “should be judged to fall short” (by God). The implication is that a person’s own negligence can theoretically deprive them of entrance.

^b.Lit. “they weren’t mixed together,” or “they didn’t mix together”

^c.Lit. “…didn’t benefit them, not being bonded [or “mixed together”] in faith with those who listened”. “Listened,” here, has to mean “really listened,” or “obeyed”. Later mss have, “…didn’t benefit them, because it wasn’t combined with faith within the listeners”.

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     Therefore we should fear, since a promise of entering His rest still stands, lest any one of you should expect to have come short of it.¹

There is still a promised rest
Really, because we are continually hearing good news² just like they did, but the word that they heard did not profit them, since they were not intimately united with the faith of those who obeyed.

(1) This verse is a continuation of the whole preceding paragraph that emphasizes the need to persevere in faith, so as to enter the rest. If someone decides he has already fallen short, he will likely give up, stop trying.

(2) Strictly speaking it should be “we are continually being good-newsed / evangelized”, but to try to make a verb out of ‘good news’ is awkward; on the other hand ‘evangelize’ has the connotation of preaching the Gospel to an unbeliever, which is not the point here. I take the ‘good news’ here to be God’s Truth, on any and all topics.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  Therefore, we should fear, lest perhaps, a promise being open to enter into His rest, any of you might seem to come short. 

For truly, we have had the gospel preached to us, even as they also did; but the preaching of the word did not profit them because it was not mixed with faith in those who heard.

Analytical-Literal Translation  Therefore, since a promise has been left [fig., remains] to enter into His rest, let us fear lest anyone of you_p seems to have come short.

For we also have had the Gospel proclaimed [to us], even as they; but the word [which they] heard was of no use to them, it not having been mixed with faith by the ones having heard.

Berean Literal Bible                .

Bond Slave Version               .

C. Thomson updated NT        .

Charles Thomson NT             Let us therefore be afraid, lest having a promise left of entering into His Rest any of us should fall short of it.

For we have had the glad tidings proclaimed to us, as they also had; but the word which they heard did not profit them; as it was not mixed up with belief by the hearers.

Context Group Version          Let us fear therefore, lest perhaps, a promise remaining of entering into his rest, any one of you (pl) should seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had the imperial news proclaimed to us, even as they also [did]: but the word of hearing did not profit those who were not united in the trust with those that heard.

English Standard Version      .

Far Above All Translation       So let us fear in case, although a promise of going in to his rest remains open, any one of you should appear to have failed to obtain it.

For indeed we are those who have had the gospel preached to us, as also are they. But the word heard did not benefit them because they were not united in faith with those who had heeded it.

Green’s Literal Translation    .

Literal New Testament           .

Literal Standard Version        .

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version 2020  Therefore, since a promise is left to enter into his rest, let us fear lest anyone out-of you° seem to have come-short of it.

For* we also are having the good-news proclaimed to us, just-as they also had. But the word of hearing did not profit them, not having been mingled together-with the faith in those who heard it.

Modern KJV                           .

New American Standard B.    .

New European Version          .

New King James Version       .

NT (Variant Readings)           Let us fear therefore, lest, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it.

For indeed we have had good news preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not °profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard.

°Byz.-profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard.; Psalm 95:11; Genedsis 2:2

Niobi Study Bible                   Be Sure to Enter the (Promised) Rest

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left to us of entering into His rest, any of you(p) should seem to come short of it.

For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them; but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed (united) with (by) faith in those who heard it.

Revised Young's Lit. Trans.   .

R. B. Thieme, Jr. translation  Therefore let us fear, lest at any time a promised blessing being unclaimed of entering into his rest, anyone from among you should think subjectively to the point of defaulting [this is reversionism]. The one having looked intently [concentrated] on the perfect law of freedom [Bible teaching], and having persisted, the one having become not a hearer of oblivion, but a doer of work [Bible doctrine going into the various areas of the soul where growth in involved], this one shall be happy in the action of doing [happiness in the function of GAP].

A Voice in the Wilderness      Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear so that none of you should show evidence of falling short.

For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

Updated Bible Version 2.17   .

Webster’s Translation           .

World English Bible                .

Worrell New Testament         .

Young’s Updated LT             .

The gist of this passage: 

1-2

Translation: Therefore, let us keep fearing lest [there be] a continual forsaking of the promise...

The writer of Hebrews uses the editorial we here, but he really means, you Hebrews who are trying to live the spiritual life by following the Law of Moses. When he says, let us keep on fearing, it sounds like less of an accusation.

The people to whom this is written are continually forsaking or abandoning the promise. Here, the writer speaks of a very specific promise, named in v. 1b:

Translation: ...to enter into His rest.

There is a promise to enter into God’s rest, and the Hebrews need to be fearful that they might be forsaking this promise.

Many have screwed up the interpretation of this, as they keep trying to present this as if this is an evangelistic message. “Don’t forsake the promise of an eternal rest,” is how many present this; and that is not quite right. This is presented in such a way that, the gospel message could be found here by some; yet there is a larger message for those who have already heard the gospel and have believed.

Among the Hebrew people, there are two classes of people: those who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and those who have not. The recipients of this letter, for the most part, are believers. Like in any church, there are often a few unbelievers in the congregations in Jerusalem and Judæa. But, for the most part, it is believers who are hearing this message taught.

Although the gospel message is good for even the believer to hear, there is not some special aspect of it being taught here.

So, even though there are a handful of unbelievers who might hear this, understand it to be the gospel, and believe; this is mostly written to groups of evangelized believers. We know that these believers have had Judaizers come to them and try to distort the Christian life after salvation. For gentile believers, they are being taught to be circumcised and to follow the Law of Moses (we read about this in the letter to the Galatians).

Because these are Jewish believers, they have been circumcised from birth—so that is not an issue in this letter as it is to the believers in Galatia. However, the other issue is the Christian life. How is that to be lived; and that is what is being addressed here.

In other words, we are not talking about eternal rest here; we are talking about the Christian rest which we enter into as believers while alive on this earth.

As an unbeliever, your life would be marked by great ups and downs, depending upon what was happening in your life. Who was up in your grill, what problems were you experiencing, what good times were you having? All of these things affected your general mood.

I named some very small things, compared to what the Hebrew people are facing. They are facing national disaster. These people who have received this letter will see the national devastation come to their beloved city, Jerusalem. A million Jews will be killed.

How does a believer rest in these circumstances?

The author of Hebrews is not calling for his readers to die and go to heaven. So he is speaking of the rest which believers can enter into during their lives. There is a Christian rest.

Application: I write this in 2022, and things look dire for our country. We appear to be facing great national disaster. The believer cannot be the person running around as if there is no hope, there is no solution; and that they are half wacked out, facing great potential disaster. When there are great disasters, it is believers who need to keep their heads on straight and need to function with cool heads and purpose. This is the Christian rest.

When a believer begins to enter the various stages of maturity, he is entering into the Christian rest. He is entering into a phrase of his life where he can face difficulties, hardships and even national disaster, but without falling apart and without becoming distressed and despondent.

The believer has the same God, the same Word of God, and the same promises. These things remain constant in our lives, even if the world appears to be coming apart all around us.

Translation: Any one of you (all) might keep on presuming to have fallen short [of it].

Given the information which the writer of Hebrews has, there is concern that the Jewish believers are falling short of God’s life planned for them.

There are two things which stand in the way of the believer in Jesus Christ: negative volition toward doctrine, so that the believer does not listen to the teaching of the Word of God. Of, negative volition when hearing the Word of God being taught. That is, the believer hears it, but chooses not to believe what he or she hears.

Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, let us keep fearing lest [there be] a continual forsaking of the promise to enter into His rest. Any one of you (all) might keep on presuming to have fallen short [of it]. (Kukis nearly literal translation)

Translation: For even we keep on having declarations of good information having been proclaimed [to us] even as they [had],...

Again, as in v. 1, a word is used which is most often applied to the proclamation of the gospel message. Here we have the masculine plural participle of euaggelizô (εὐαγγελίζω) [pronounced yoo-ang-ghel-EED-zo], which means, announcing [speaking, declaring, bringing] the good news, evangelizing, proclaiming the gospel; bringing [declaring] glad [good] tidings [news, information]. When using words to describe spiritual things, the Apostles and other writers of Scripture did not just make up words and then give them a meaning. They do not pull a word out of the air, like snookerfrydog, and decide that this refers to living the faith-rest life (or, whatever). They simply appropriated words already in use, and gave them new applications specific to Christian doctrine. So the declaration of good news became used for a presentation of the gospel message; but it could also stand in for the presentation of accurate doctrinal information. Strong’s #2097.

Obviously, the unbeliever needs to hear the gospel message; but the believer needs spiritual information.

The writer of Hebrews is saying, “We keep on hearing proclamations of accurate doctrinal information.” Believers in that era heard it, just as the Exodus generation heard accurate information being taught by Moses.

Here is the brilliance of this argument. Moses taught the Law. That was the accurate information for that time. Even the most legalistic believers is nodding his head thinking, that’s right; Moses taught the Law; that was accurate information. But the true accurate information for that period of time was what was being taught by the Apostles and the teachers of these epistles. And that was not the Law of Moses.

Translation: ...but the word had not been profitable of their hearing,...

The word being heard by the Exodus generation was not profitable to them; and, similarly, the word being heard by the Jewish people at this time—from the proper sources—was sound Bible doctrine.

Translation: ...not having combined the faith with the things being heard.

What was the problem with the Exodus generation? They heard correct teaching from Moses, but they did not mix it with faith when they heard it. What is the problem with the Jewish believers in a.d. 67? They were hearing correct information being taught by the Apostles and those chosen by them; but they were not believing it. You must not just hear correct doctrinal information; you must believe it!

Hebrews 4:2 For even we keep on having declarations of good information having been proclaimed [to us] even as they [had], but the word had not been profitable of their hearing, not having combined the faith with the things being heard. (Kukis nearly literal translation)

Hebrews 4:1–2 Therefore, let us keep fearing lest [there be] a continual forsaking of the promise to enter into His rest. Any one of you (all) might keep on presuming to have fallen short [of it]. For even we keep on having declarations of good information having been proclaimed [to us] even as they [had], but the word had not been profitable of their hearing, not having combined the faith with the things being heard. (Kukis nearly literal translation)

There is an us and a them specified here. Us refers to the writer of Hebrews and to other believers in the new age. The good news came to us and we believed it; that good news being, Jesus died for our sins and provided us the way to God).

However, there are those—particularly those in the Exodus generation—who heard the good news, but they did not believe it.

At this point, there is an analogy drawn which is not so obvious at first. The writer of Hebrews is not simply comparing Hebrews today (those reading this epistle) to the Hebrews during the time of Moses, but he is also drawing an analogy between saving faith and living faith.

Two generations of Hebrews are being looked at here, and almost everyone understands that. However, there is also a comparison being done between exercising saving faith in this era (by believing in Jesus Christ), and daily living faith among the Hebrews of the Exodus generation.

The writer of Hebrews is not saying, the Hebrews of the Exodus generation were not saved. They were saved! Otherwise, God would not have spent so much effort on them bringing them out of Egypt. They did not exercise a living faith, the faith-rest life.

In other words, there is a deficit of faith among Hebrews circa a.d. 67 and among Hebrews circa 1400 b.c. For this reason, many Hebrews hearing the words of this epistle have not yet exercised saving faith in Jesus Christ; and, similarly, many Hebrews in the Exodus generation did not ever enter into the faith-rest life (through a lack of faith).

Hebrews 4:1–2 Therefore, we ought to be concerned so that we do not forsake the promise of entering into His rest in this life. Anyone of you might seem to fall short of it. Here is why: even though we keep on having teachings of good information, just as the Exodus generation had had, this word that they heard was not profitable to them, as they did not combine faith with the things they kept on hearing. (Kukis paraphrase)

——————————

Here is how others have translated this passage:

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    For we keep on entering into the rest, the ones believing, just as He had declared, “Even as I have sworn in the wrath of Me, if they will enter into the rest of Me.” Yet the works from a foundation of a world are coming to be. For He has said somewhere about the seventh—this (one): “Even rested the God in the day the seventh from all the works of Him.” And in this [place] again: “If they will enter into the rest of Me.”

Complete Apostles Bible        For we who have believed enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.

For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day thus, "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works";

and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest."

Revised Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) For we, who have believed, shall enter into rest; as he said: As I have sworn in my wrath: If they shall enter into my rest; and this indeed when the works from the foundation of the world were finished.

For in a certain place he spoke of the seventh day thus: And God rested the seventh day from all his works.

And in this place again: If they shall enter into my rest.

V. Alexander’s Aramaic         .

Eastern Aramaic Manuscript  .

James Murdock’s Syriac NT But we, who have believed, do enter into rest. But as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, that they shall not enter into my rest: for lo, the works of God existed from the foundation of the world.

As he said of the sabbath, God rested on the seventh day from all his works.

And here again, he said, They shall not enter into my rest..

Original Aramaic NT              But we who believe enter into rest, but just as he said, "As I swore in my anger, they shall not enter my rest." For behold, the works of God have existed from the foundation of the world,

According to what he said about the Sabbath*: "God rested on the seventh day from all his works."

And here again he said: "They shall not enter my rest."

Plain English Aramaic Bible   .

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         .

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             For those of us who have belief come into his rest; even as he has said, As I said in my oath when I was angry, They may not come into my rest: though the works were done from the time of the making of the world. 

For in one place he has said of the seventh day, And God had rest from all his works on the seventh day; 

And in the same place he says again, They will not come into my rest.

Bible in Worldwide English     But we who believe, will go into that resting place of God. It is as God said, When I was angry, I said, "They will never go into my resting place." He said this even though his work had been finished ever since he had made the world.

Here is what he said, somewhere in the holy writings, about the seventh day: And God rested on the seventh day after doing all his work.

And now here he says again, They will never go into my resting place.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  Only we who believe it are able to enter God's place of rest. As God said, "I was angry and made a promise: 'They will never enter my place of rest.'" But God's work was finished from the time he made the world. Yes, somewhere in the Scriptures he talked about the seventh day of the week. He said, "So on the seventh day God rested from all his work." But in the Scripture above God said, "They will never enter my place of rest."

God’s Word™                         We who believe are entering that place of rest. As God said, "So I angrily took a solemn oath that they would never enter my place of rest." God said this even though he had finished his work when he created the world.

Somewhere in Scripture God has said this about the seventh day: "On the seventh day God rested from all his work."

God also said in the same passage, "They will never enter my place of rest."

Good News Bible (TEV)         We who believe, then, do receive that rest which God promised. It is just as he said, "I was angry and made a solemn promise: 'They will never enter the land where I would have given them rest!' " He said this even though his work had been finished from the time he created the world.

For somewhere in the Scriptures this is said about the seventh day: "God rested on the seventh day from all his work."

This same matter is spoken of again: "They will never enter that land where I would have given them rest."

The Message                         .

NIRV                                      .

New Life Version                    .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Contemporary English V.       Only people who have faith will enter the place of rest. It is just as the Scriptures say, "God became angry and told the people, 'You will never enter my place of rest!' " God said this, even though everything has been ready from the time of creation. In fact, somewhere the Scriptures say that by the seventh day, God had finished his work, and so he rested. We also read that he later said, "You people will never enter my place of rest!"

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Century Version             .

New Living Translation           .

The Passion Translation        For those of us who believe, faith activates the promise and we experience the realm of confident rest! For he has said, “I was grieved with them and made a solemn oath, ‘They will never enter into the calming rest of my Spirit.’ ” God’s works have all been completed from the foundation of the world, for it says in the Scriptures, And on the seventh day God rested from all his works.  And again, as stated before, They will never enter into my calming place of rest.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  For we who have believed enter that rest, just as he said, " As I swore in my wrath, They will never enter my rest." Even so, his works were finished from the foundation of the world.  

For he has somewhere spoken about the seventh day: " And God rested on the seventh day from all his works."  

And again in this same passage he said, " They will never enter my rest."

Williams’ New Testament      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. For somewhere He speaks of the seventh day: "On the seventh day God rested from all His works"; while in this passage again He says: "They shall not be admitted to my rest."

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            You see, we come into the resting place (the people who trusted), just as it has been stated ("As I guaranteed in My punishment, 'If they will come into My resting place...'"), and yet the actions of work that He rested from happened from the world's founding; for He has stated somewhere (Genesis 2:2) about the seventh day like this, "And God rested in the seventh day from all His actions of work." And in this place again, "If they will come into My resting place...."

Common English Bible           .

Len Gane Paraphrase           For the good news was spoken to us as well as to them, but the message heard [by them] did not benefit them, [because it was] not united with faith in those who heard it, yet we who have believed enter rest, just like he said, "As I have sworn in my wrath, those people will never enter into my rest," even though the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spoke in a certain place about the seventh day this way, "And God rested the seventh day from all his works." And again here, "If they will enter into my rest..." V. 2 is included for context.

A. Campbell's Living Oracles For we, who have believed, do enter into the rest, as he said, "So, I swore, in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest"; namely, from the works that were finished at the formation of the world. For he has spoken somewhere concerning the seventh day, thus: "And God rested on the seventh day, from all his works." And in this, again, "They shall not enter into my rest."

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

NT for Everyone                     .

20^th Century New Testament Upon that Rest we who have believed are now entering. As God has said-- 'In my wrath I swore--"They shall never enter upon my Rest;"' Although God's work was finished at the creation of the world; for, in a passage referring to the seventh day, you will find these words-- 'God rested upon the seventh day after all his work.' On the other hand, we read in that passage-- ' They shall never enter upon my Rest.'

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

An Understandable Version   .

Berean Study Bible                .

Christian Standard Bible        .

Conservapedia Translation    .

Evangelical Heritage V.          .

Revised Ferrar-Fenton Bible  .

Free Bible Version                 However those of us who trust in God have entered into that rest God mentioned when he said, “In my frustration I vowed, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’” (This is so even though God’s plans were already complete when he created the world).

Regarding the seventh day there’s a place in Scripture that says, “God rested on the seventh day from all his work.”

And as the previous passage stated, “They shall not enter my rest.”

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

Holman Christian Standard    .

International Standard V        We who have believed are entering that rest, just as he has said,

“So in my anger I swore a solemn oath

that they would never enter my rest,” [Ps 95:11]

even though his actions had been finished since the creation [Lit. foundation; or beginning] of the world.

Somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day as follows: “On the seventh day God rested from all his actions,” [Gen 2:2]

and again in this passage, [The Gk. lacks passage] “They will never enter my rest.” [Psalm 95:11]

Lexham Bible                         .

Montgomery NT                     .

NIV, ©2011                             .

Riverside New Testament      .

Leicester A. Sawyer’s NT      .

The Spoken English NT         .

UnfoldingWord Literal Text    .

Urim-Thummim Version         Because we that have believed do enter into the Resting Place as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they will enter into my Resting Place: although the enterprises appeared in history from the founding of the cosmos. Because he spoke in a certain place concerning the 7th day in this manner, And Elohim did Rest the 7th day from all his enterprises. And in this again, If they will enter into my Resting Place.

Weymouth New Testament    We who have believed are soon to be admitted to the true rest; as He has said, "AS I SWORE IN MY ANGER, THEY SHALL NOT BE ADMITTED TO MY REST," although God's works had been going on ever since the creation of the world. For, as we know, when speaking of the seventh day He has used the words, "AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS;" and He has also declared, "THEY SHALL NOT BE ADMITTED TO MY REST."

Wikipedia Bible Project          .

Worsley’s New Testament    .

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  .

The Heritage Bible                 .

New American Bible (2002)   .

New American Bible (2011)   .

New English Bible–1970        .

New Jerusalem Bible             .

New RSV                               .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           .

Hebraic Roots Bible               For we who have believed, will enter into the rest, even as He said, "As I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter into My rest," for behold, the works of Elohim were from the very foundation of the world¹. (Psa 95:11)

For He has spoken concerning the Sabbath, "And Elohim rested from all His works on the seventh day." (Gen 2:2)

And here again He said, "They shall not enter into My rest."

¹ There were 6 days for creation, the 7th day was the rest of the Sabbath, there is 6,000 yrs for mans' self motivated system, then the 7th millennium will be the rest of YHWH and His Kingdom to this earth. One must fully believe this and live for that rest (kingdom) each day. The Sabbath is a weekly reminder of that rest and Kingdom. Psa 90:4, 2Pet 3:8.

Holy New Covenant Trans.    We believe. So we are entering that place of rest. God said: "While I was angry, I made a vow: ‘They will not enter My place of rest!’" But God’s works were finished at the time He created the world!

Somewhere in the Scriptures God has said this about the seventh day: "God rested on the seventh day from all His works."

But listen again to the same Scripture: "They will not enter My place of rest."

The Scriptures 2009              For we who have believed do enter into that rest, as He has said, “As I swore in My wrath, if they shall enter into My rest...” Psalm 95:11 And yet His works have come into being from the foundation of the world. 

For somewhere He has said thus about the seventh day, “And Elohim rested on the seventh day from all His works,” Genesis 2:2. 

and in this again, “If they shall enter into My rest...” Psalm 95:11.

Tree of Life Version                .

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...[We] enter for to the rest The [Men] Believing as [He] has said as [I] vow in the anger [of] me if [They] will enter to the rest [of] me although the works from foundation [of] world becoming [He] has said for somewhere about the [one] seventh so and rests The God in the day the [one] seventh from all the works [of] him and in this again {He has said} if [They] will enter to the rest [of] me...

Alpha & Omega Bible            FOR WE WHO HAVE BELIEVED ENTER THAT REST, JUST AS HE HAS SAID, “AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,” AND YET HIS WORKS WERE FINISHED FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. †(Psalm 95:11)

FOR HE HAS SAID IN A SPECIFIC VERSE CONCERNING THE SEVENTH DAY: “AND THEOS (The Alpha & Omega) RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS"; †(Genesis 2:2)

AND AGAIN IN THIS PASSAGE, “THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.” †(Psalm 95:11)

Awful Scroll Bible                   For those confiding come-towards into the ceasing-down, accordingly-as-to He has said, "As I swear by-within My wrath, 'Whether they will come-towards into My ceasing-down?' " -- even-certainly, His works are coming about from the putting-down of the world.

For He has said somewhere, concerning the seventh day, this-same thing, "Indeed God accordingly-ceases-up from-within the seventh day, from all His works,"

and from-within the same-as-this in turn, "Whether they will come-towards into My ceasing-down?"

Concordant Literal Version    Then we who believe are entering into the stopping, according as He has declared, "As I swear in My indignation, 'If they shall be entering into My stopping-!'although the works occur from the disruption of the world."

For He has declared somewhere concerning the seventh thus: And God stops "on the seventh day from all His works."

And in this again, "If they shall be entering into My stopping-!"

exeGeses companion Bible   For we who trust, enter shabbath;

exactly as he said,

As I oathed in my wrath,

if they enter my shabbath - :

although the works became

from the foundation of the cosmos.

Psalm 95:1

For somewhere, about the seventh, he said thus:

And the seventh day

Elohim shabbathized from all his works.

And again in this,

If they enter my shabbath - .

Orthodox Jewish Bible           For we ma'aminim [in Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach] enter into that menuchah, just as Hashem has said, "ASHER NISHBA'TI V’API IM YEVO'UN EL MENUCHATI" ("As I vowed in My fury, they shall never enter into My rest" TEHILLIM 95:11), although the ma'asim (works) of Hashem were finished from the hivvased tevel (foundation of the world).

For concerning Shabbos, the Yom HaShevi'i, Hashem has said somewhere, "VAYISHBOT Elohim BAYOM HASHEVI'I MIKOL MELAKHTO" ("And He rested on the seventh day from all His work.") [BERESHIS 2:2]

And again in this mekor (passage, citation), "IM YEVO'UN EL MENUCHATI" ("Never shall they enter into My rest" TEHILLIM 95:11).

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

An Understandable Version   Now we who have believed [will someday] enter that rest, even as God has said [Psa. 95:11], “So, I vowed in my anger, ‘They will not enter a state of rest with me,’” although God’s works were completed since the creation of the world. For God said this somewhere about the seventh day [Gen. 2:2], “And on the seventh day God rested from all His work.” And again, this [is recorded, Psa. 95:11], “They will not enter a state of rest with me.”

Benjamin Brodie’s trans.       Certainly, we [growing believers who are fulfilling their priestly function] who have been faithful [consistent doctrinal inculcation], will enter into His rest [the super-abounding grace life as a precursor to full inheritance-salvation], quite different from what He said [in Psalm 95]: “Even as I swore an oath in My disgust, They [the Exodus generation] shall not enter into My rest [no inheritance-salvation],” and yet these works [super-abounding grace blessings and the inheritance] were brought into existence from the foundation of the world.

For He said elsewhere [in Gen. 2:2] concerning the seventh [day] in this manner: Then God rested on the seventh day from all His production [refashioning the earth after tohu wa bohu],

And again in this place [Psalm 95:11]: “They shall not enter into My rest.”.

The Expanded Bible              .

Jonathan Mitchell NT             For we, those at this point believing and trusting, are progressively entering into the rest (or: the stopping). Just as He has said, "As I swore in My inherent fervor (impulse; inner agitation; anger; native disposition; or: passionate desire), 'Since (or: If) they shall proceed entering into My rest ...!'," [Ps. 95:11] although (or: and yet) – with regard to the works (actions; deeds) – being born (or: brought into existence; caused to happen or occur) from [the] casting down (laying of a foundation) of an ordered system (or: of [the] world; or: namely, of the works born from cosmic conception [from the usage of katabolen with spermatos in ch. 11:11]; thus: of works generated from conception of a world).

For He said in a certain place concerning the seventh, thus, "And God rested in the seventh day from all His works." [Gen. 2:2]

And yet in this, again, "Since (or: If) they shall proceed entering into My rest ...!"

P. Kretzmann Commentary    .

Syndein/Thieme                     .

Translation for Translators     .

The Voice                               .

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

Lexham Bible                         For we who have believed enter into rest, [Some manuscripts have “that rest”] just as he has said,

“As I swore in my anger,

‘They will never enter [Literally “if they will enter”] into my rest.’ ” [A quotation from Psalm 95:11]

And yet these works have been accomplished from the foundation of the world.

For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works,” [A quotation from Gen 2:2]

and in this passage again, ‘They will never enter [Literally “if they will enter”] into my rest.’ ” [A quotation from Ps 95:11]

NET Bible®                             .

New American Bible (2011)   .

The Passion Translation        .

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

The Spoken English NT         Because it’s those of us who have become believers^d who come into God’s rest. Just as God says,
This is what I swore^e in my anger:
“They’re never going to come into my rest”.^f.
Yet God’s work has been finished^g since the creation^h of the world.

Because this is what it says somewhere about the seventh day:ⁱ
And God rested on the seventh day, from all God’s work.^j

And it says again in this place,
They’re never going to come into my rest.^k

^d.Or simply, “who have believed”.

^e.Lit. “As I swore”.

^f.Psalm 95:11.

^g.Lit. “God’s works have been done”.

^h.Lit. “foundation”.

^i.That is, someplace in scripture.

^j.Lit. “works”. Genesis 2:2.

^k.Psalm 95:11.

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     Now we who have believed do enter that rest, just as He has said, “So I took an oath in my wrath, ‘As if they will ever enter my rest!’”—His works were certainly finished from the foundation of the world, because somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day like this, “And on the seventh day God rested from all His works,” while again, in this place, “As if they will ever enter my rest!”³

(3) Dear me, this is the third citation of the oath! When He took it, God was ‘very angry’ (3:10); is the author implying that 1,500 years later God is similarly angry with those who insist on disobeying? Then it will still be true in our day (another 2,000 years later).

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  .

Analytical-Literal Translation  For we, the ones having believed, enter into that rest, just as He has said, "So in My anger I took an oath: 'They will not enter into My rest'"—His works were done from [the] laying of the foundation of [the] world [or, from [the] beginning of the creation of [the] universe]. [Psalm 95:11]

For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh [day] thus, "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works;" [Gen 2:2]

and in this [place] again, "They will not enter into My rest.'" [Ps 95:11].

Berean Literal Bible                .

Bond Slave Version               .

C. Thomson updated NT        .

Charles Thomson NT             For we who have believed enter into that rest spoken of in this passage, "So in my indignation I said they shall not enter into My Rest; ?namely, That from the works done at the foundation of the, world.

For where speaking of the seventh day the scripture said thus, "And on the seventh day God rested from all His works.”

And again in this place: "They shall not enter into My rest.”?

Context Group Version          For we who have given trust do enter into that rest; even as he has said, As I swore in my retaliation, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has said somewhere of the seventh [day] in this way, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works; and in this [place] again, They shall not enter into my rest.

English Standard Version      .

Far Above All Translation       For we who have believed are entering into the rest, as he has said, “As I have sworn in my anger, ‘They shall certainly not enter into my rest,’ ” and yet the works were completed from the overthrow of the world.

For he has spoken in a certain place concerning the seventh day as follows: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.”

And in this context again, “They shall certainly not enter into my rest.”

Green’s Literal Translation    .

Literal New Testament           .

Literal Standard Version        .

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version 2020  For* we who believed are entering into the same rest; just-as he has said, ‘As I have sworn in my wrath, that they will never* be entering into my rest,’ although the works have happened from the conception of the world. {See Footnote on 3:11.}