Hebrews 4-12

Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Promised Rest

4 Therefore, while the promise to enter His rest remains, let us fear that none of you should miss it.^{[a] 2} For we also have received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith^{[b](A) 3} (for we who have believed enter the rest), in keeping with what^[c] He has said:

And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world, ⁴ for somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in this way:

⁵ Again, in that passage He says, They will never enter My rest.^{[f] 6} Since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience,^{(D) 7} again, He specifies a certain day—today—speaking through David after such a long time, as previously stated:

⁸ For if Joshua^(F) had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. ⁹ Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people. ¹⁰ For the person who has entered His rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from His.^{(G) 11} Let us then make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.

¹² For the word of God is living and effective^(H) and sharper than any double-edged sword,^(I) penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.^{(J) 13} No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom^(K) we must give an account.

Our Great High Priest

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession.^{(L) 15} For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are,^(M) yet without sin.^{(N) 16} Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.

The Messiah, a High Priest

5 For every high priest taken from men is appointed in service^[h] to God for the people, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. ² He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also subject to weakness.^{(O) 3} Because of this, he must make a sin offering for himself as well as for the people.^{(P) 4} No one takes this honor on himself; instead, a person is called by God, just as Aaron was.^{(Q) 5} In the same way, the Messiah did not exalt Himself to become a high priest, but the One who said to Him, You are My Son; today I have become Your Father,^{(R)[i] 6} also said in another passage, You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.^(S)[j]

⁷ During His earthly life,^[k] He offered prayers and appeals^(T) with loud cries and tears^(U) to the One who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. ⁸ Though He was God’s Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered.^{(V) 9} After He was perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him, ¹⁰ and He was declared by God a high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

The Problem of Immaturity

¹¹ We have a great deal to say about this, and it’s difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand. ¹² Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food.^{(W) 13} Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.^(X)

Warning against Regression

6 Therefore, leaving the elementary message about the Messiah, let us go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God,^{(Y) 2} teaching about ritual washings,^[l] laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.^{(Z) 3} And we will do this if God permits.

⁴ For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, became companions with the Holy Spirit,^{(AA) 5} tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age, ⁶ and who have fallen away, because,^[m] to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding Him up to contempt.^{(AB) 7} For ground that has drunk the rain that has often fallen on it and that produces vegetation useful to those it is cultivated for receives a blessing from God. ⁸ But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and will be burned at the end.^(AC)

⁹ Even though we are speaking this way, dear friends, in your case we are confident of the better things connected with salvation. ¹⁰ For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love^[n] you showed for His name when you served the saints—and you continue to serve them.^{(AD) 11} Now we want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope, ¹² so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.^(AE)

Inheriting the Promise

¹³ For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself:

¹⁵ And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham^[p] obtained the promise. ¹⁶ For men swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. ¹⁷ Because God wanted to show His unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath,^{(AG) 18} so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.^{(AH) 19} We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.^{(AI) 20} Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner,^(AJ) because He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.^(AK)

The Greatness of Melchizedek

7 For this Melchizedek—

remains a priest forever.

⁴ Now consider how great this man was—even Abraham the patriarch^(AM) gave a tenth of the plunder to him! ⁵ The sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command according to the law to collect a tenth from the people^(AN)—that is, from their brothers—though they have also descended from Abraham.^{[q] 6} But one without this^[r] lineage collected tenths from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.^{(AO) 7} Without a doubt,^[s] the inferior is blessed by the superior. ⁸ In the one case, men who will die receive tenths, but in the other case, Scripture testifies that he lives.^{(AP) 9} And in a sense Levi himself, who receives tenths, has paid tenths through Abraham, ¹⁰ for he was still within his ancestor^[t] when Melchizedek met him.

A Superior Priesthood

¹¹ If then, perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law^(AQ)), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?^{(AR) 12} For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well. ¹³ For the One these things are spoken about belonged to a different tribe. No one from it has served at the altar. ¹⁴ Now it is evident that our Lord came from Judah,^(AS) and Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests.

¹⁵ And this becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears, ¹⁶ who did not become a priest based on a legal command concerning physical^[u] descent but based on the power of an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it has been testified:

¹⁸ So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable^{(AU) 19} (for the law perfected^(AV) nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.^(AW)

²⁰ None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, ²¹ but He became a priest with an oath made by the One who said to Him:

²² So Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.^(AY)

²³ Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office. ²⁴ But because He remains forever, He holds His priesthood permanently. ²⁵ Therefore, He is always able to save^[x] those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede^(AZ) for them.

²⁶ For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.^{(BA) 27} He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do—first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all when He offered Himself.^{(BB) 28} For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son,^(BC) who has been perfected^(BD) forever.

A Heavenly Priesthood

8 Now the main point of what is being said is this: We have this kind of high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,^{(BE) 2} a minister of the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that was set up by the Lord and not man.^{(BF) 3} For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts^(BG) and sacrifices; therefore it was necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. ⁴ Now if He were on earth, He wouldn’t be a priest, since there are those^[y] offering the gifts prescribed by the law. ⁵ These serve as a copy and shadow^(BH) of the heavenly things, as Moses was warned when he was about to complete the tabernacle. For God said, Be careful that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain.^{(BI)[z] 6} But Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree He is the mediator^(BJ) of a better covenant,^(BK) which has been legally enacted on better promises.^(BL)

A Superior Covenant

⁷ For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one. ⁸ But finding fault with His people,^[aa] He says:^[ab]

¹³ By saying, a new covenant, He has declared that the first is old. And what is old and aging is about to disappear.^(BP)

Old Covenant Ministry

9 Now the first covenant also had regulations for ministry and an earthly sanctuary. ² For a tabernacle was set up, and in the first room, which is called the holy place, were the lampstand, the table, and the presentation loaves.^{(BQ) 3} Behind the second curtain, the tabernacle was called the most holy place.^{(BR) 4} It contained the gold altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, covered with gold on all sides, in which there was a gold jar containing the manna, Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.^{(BS) 5} The cherubim of glory were above it overshadowing the mercy seat. It is not possible to speak about these things in detail right now.^(BT)

⁶ With these things set up this way, the priests enter the first room repeatedly, performing their ministry.^{(BU) 7} But the high priest alone enters the second room, and he does that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.^{(BV) 8} The Holy Spirit was making it clear that the way into the most holy place had not yet been disclosed while the first tabernacle was still standing.^{(BW) 9} This is a symbol for the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper’s conscience.^{(BX) 10} They are physical regulations and only deal with food, drink, and various washings imposed until the time of restoration.^(BY)

New Covenant Ministry

¹¹ But the Messiah has appeared, high priest of the good things that have come.^[af] In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation^(BZ)), ¹² He entered the most holy place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.^{(CA) 13} For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh,^{(CB) 14} how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit^(CC) offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse our^[ag] consciences from dead works to serve the living God?^(CD)

¹⁵ Therefore, He is the mediator^(CE) of a new covenant,^[ah](CF) so that those who are called might receive the promise^(CG) of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.^{(CH) 16} Where a will exists, the death of the one who made it must be established. ¹⁷ For a will is valid only when people die, since it is never in force while the one who made it is living. ¹⁸ That is why even the first covenant was inaugurated with blood. ¹⁹ For when every command had been proclaimed by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll itself and all the people,^{(CI) 20} saying, This is the blood of the covenant that God has commanded for you.^{(CJ)[ai] 21} In the same way, he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the articles of worship with blood.^{(CK) 22} According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.^(CL)

²³ Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves to be purified with better sacrifices than these.^{(CM) 24} For the Messiah did not enter a sanctuary made with hands (only a model^[aj] of the true one) but into heaven itself, so that He might now appear in the presence of God for us.^{(CN) 25} He did not do this to offer Himself many times, as the high priest enters the sanctuary yearly with the blood of another.^{(CO) 26} Otherwise, He would have had to suffer many times since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared one time, at the end of the ages,^(CP) for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of Himself.^{(CQ) 27} And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment^(CR)— ²⁸ so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many,^(CS) will appear a second time,^(CT) not to bear sin, but^[ak] to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.^(CU)

The Perfect Sacrifice

10 Since the law has only a shadow of the good things^(CV) to come, and not the actual form of those realities, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year. ² Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered, since the worshipers, once purified, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? ³ But in the sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. ⁴ For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

⁵ Therefore, as He was coming into the world, He said:

⁸ After He says above, You did not want or delight in sacrifices and offerings, whole burnt offerings and sin offerings (which are offered according to the law^(CX)), ⁹ He then says, See, I have come to do Your will.^[am] He takes away the first to establish the second. ¹⁰ By this will of God, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all.^(CY)

¹¹ Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins.^{(CZ) 12} But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.^{(DA) 13} He is now waiting until His enemies are made His footstool.^{(DB) 14} For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified. ¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. For after He says:

¹⁷ He adds:

¹⁸ Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

Exhortations to Godliness

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus,^{(DD) 20} by a new and living way He has opened for us through the curtain (that is, His flesh^(DE)), ²¹ and since we have a great high priest over the house of God,^{(DF) 22} let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.^{(DG) 23} Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.^{(DH) 24} And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, ²⁵ not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other,^(DI) and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Warning against Deliberate Sin

²⁶ For if we deliberately sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,^{(DJ) 27} but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire about to consume the adversaries.^{(DK) 28} If anyone disregards Moses’ law, he dies without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses.^{(DL) 29} How much worse punishment do you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, regarded as profane^[ao] the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and insulted the Spirit of grace?^{(DM) 30} For we know the One who has said, Vengeance belongs to Me, I will repay,^[ap][aq] and again, The Lord will judge His people.^{(DN)[ar] 31} It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!^(DO)

³² Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings.^{(DP) 33} Sometimes you were publicly exposed to taunts and afflictions, and at other times you were companions of those who were treated that way.^{(DQ) 34} For you sympathized with the prisoners^[as] and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession.^{[at](DR) 35} So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.^{(DS) 36} For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.^(DT)

³⁹ But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and obtain life.

Heroes of Faith

11 Now faith is the reality^[aw] of what is hoped for, the proof^[ax] of what is not seen.^{(DV) 2} For our ancestors won God’s approval by it.

³ By faith we understand that the universe was^[ay] created by God’s command,^[az](DW) so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible.

⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.^(DX)

⁵ By faith Enoch was taken away so he did not experience death, and he was not to be found because God took him away.^[ba] For prior to his removal he was approved, since he had pleased God.^{(DY) 6} Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.

⁷ By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.^(DZ)

⁸ By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going.^{(EA) 9} By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise.^{(EB) 10} For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.^(EC)

¹¹ By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she^[bb] considered that the One who had promised was faithful.^{(ED) 12} Therefore from one man—in fact, from one as good as dead—came offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as innumerable as the grains of sand by the seashore.^(EE)

¹³ These all died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them from a distance,^(EF) greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.^{(EG) 14} Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. ¹⁵ If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.^(EH)

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac.^(EI) He received the promises and he was offering his unique son, ¹⁸ the one it had been said about, Your seed will be traced^[bc] through Isaac.^{(EJ)[bd] 19} He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead,^(EK) and as an illustration,^[be] he received him back.

²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau^(EL) concerning things to come. ²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.^{(EM)[bf] 22} By faith Joseph, as he was nearing the end of his life, mentioned the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions concerning his bones.^(EN)

²³ By faith, after Moses was born, he was hidden by his parents for three months, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they didn’t fear the king’s edict.^{(EO) 24} By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter ²⁵ and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the short-lived pleasure of sin.^{(EP) 26} For he considered the reproach because of the Messiah to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since his attention was on the reward.^(EQ)

²⁷ By faith he left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king’s anger, for Moses persevered as one who sees Him who is invisible.^{(ER) 28} By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites. ²⁹ By faith they crossed the Red Sea as though they were on dry land. When the Egyptians attempted to do this, they were drowned.^(ES)

³⁰ By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being encircled by the Israelites for seven days. ³¹ By faith Rahab the prostitute received the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.^(ET)

³² And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah,^(EU) David, Samuel, and the prophets,^{(EV) 33} who by faith conquered kingdoms,^(EW) administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,^{(EX) 34} quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength after being weak, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.^{(EY) 35} Women received their dead—they were raised to life again. Some men were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection, ³⁶ and others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment.^{(EZ) 37} They were stoned,^[bg](FA) they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins,^(FB) destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. ³⁸ The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

³⁹ All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, ⁴⁰ since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.^(FC)

The Call to Endurance

12 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses^(FD) surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance^(FE) the race that lies before us, ² keeping our eyes on Jesus,^[bh] the source and perfecter^[bi] of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him^[bj] endured a cross and despised the shame^(FF) and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.

Fatherly Discipline

³ For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and lose heart.^{(FG) 4} In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵ And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons:

⁷ Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? ⁸ But if you are without discipline—which all^[bl] receive^[bm]—then you are illegitimate children and not sons.^{(FI) 9} Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?^{(FJ) 10} For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but He does it for our benefit, so that we can share His holiness.^{(FK) 11} No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace^(FL) and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.^(FM)

¹² Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees,^{(FN) 13} and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated^[bn] but healed instead.^(FO)

Warning against Rejecting God’s Grace

¹⁴ Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness^(FP)—without it no one will see the Lord.^{(FQ) 15} Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many.^{(FR) 16} And make sure that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent^(FS) person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for one meal.^{(FT) 17} For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance, though he sought it with tears.^(FU)

¹⁸ For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, ¹⁹ to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. (Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, ²⁰ for they could not bear what was commanded: And if even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned!^{(FV)[bo] 21} The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am terrified and trembling.^(FW)[bp]) ²² Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels in festive gathering,^{(FX) 23} to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written^[bq] in heaven, to God who is the Judge of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect,^{(FY) 24} to Jesus (mediator^(FZ) of a new covenant^(GA)), and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.^(GB)

²⁵ Make sure that you do not reject the One who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected Him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven.^{(GC) 26} His voice shook the earth at that time, but now He has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven.^{(GD)[br] 27} This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken^(GE)—that is, created things—so that what is not shaken might remain. ²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace.^[bs] By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,^{(GF) 29} for our God is a consuming fire.^(GG)