Hebrews 4:3
New International Version
Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’” And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world.

New Living Translation
For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world.

English Standard Version
For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Berean Standard Bible
Now we who have believed enter that rest. As for the others, it is just as God has said: “So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest.’” And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world.

Berean Literal Bible
For those having believed enter into the rest, as He has said: "So I swore in my wrath, 'they shall not enter into My rest.'" And yet the works have been finished from the foundation of the world.

King James Bible
For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

New King James Version
For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

New American Standard Bible
For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “AS I SWORE IN MY ANGER, THEY CERTAINLY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.

NASB 1995
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,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.

NASB 1977
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,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Legacy Standard 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,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Amplified Bible
For we who believe [that is, we who personally trust and confidently rely on God] enter that rest [so we have His inner peace now because we are confident in our salvation, and assured of His power], just as He has said, “AS I SWORE [an oath] IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,” [this He said] although His works were completed from the foundation of the world [waiting for all who would believe].

Christian Standard Bible
For we who have believed enter the rest, in keeping with what he has said, So I swore in my anger, “They will not enter my rest,” even though his works have been finished since the foundation of the world.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
(for we who have believed enter the rest), in keeping with what He has said: So I swore in My anger, they will not enter My rest. And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world,

American Standard Version
For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Contemporary English Version
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.

English Revised Version
For we which have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
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.

Good News Translation
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.

International Standard Version
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," even though his actions had been finished since the creation of the world.

Majority Standard Bible
Now we who have believed enter that rest. As for the others, it is just as God has said: ?So I swore on oath in My anger, ?They shall never enter My rest.?? And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world.

NET Bible
For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, "As I swore in my anger, 'They will never enter my rest!'" And yet God's works were accomplished from the foundation of the world.

New Heart English Bible
For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest;" although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Webster's Bible Translation
For we who have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

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.

World English Bible
For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest;” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for we enter into the rest—we who believed, as He said, “So I swore in My anger, They will [not] enter into My rest”; and yet the works were done from the foundation of the world,

Berean Literal Bible
For those having believed enter into the rest, as He has said: "So I swore in my wrath, 'they shall not enter into My rest.'" And yet the works have been finished from the foundation of the world.

Young's Literal Translation
for we do enter into the rest -- we who did believe, as He said, 'So I sware in My anger, If they shall enter into My rest -- ;' and yet the works were done from the foundation of the world,

Smith's Literal Translation
For we having believed come into the rest, as he said, As I sware in my wrath, if they shall come into my rest: although the works having been from the foundation of the world.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For we who have believed shall enter into rest, in the same manner as he said: “So it is as I have sworn in my wrath: They shall not enter into my rest!” And certainly, this is when the works from the foundation of the world have been finished.

New American Bible
For we who believed enter into [that] rest, just as he has said: “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter into my rest,’ ” and yet his works were accomplished at the foundation of the world.

New Revised Standard Version
For we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “As in my anger I swore, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’” though his works were finished at the foundation of the world.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But we who have believed will enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest; for behold, the works of God were from the very foundation of the world.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
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,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For we who have believed are to enter into rest, as he said: So I swore in my anger, they shall not enter into my rest; namely, that rest from his works which had been finished from the foundation of the world.

Godbey New Testament
For we who have believed, do enter into rest: as he has said, As I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: the works truly having been from the foundations of the world.

Haweis New Testament
For we who have believed, have entered into the rest, even as he said, ?So, I sware in my wrath, that they shall not enter into my rest;? and that notwithstanding the works were done from the foundation of the world.

Mace New Testament
Whereas 'tis we who have believed that shall enter into rest, as he said, "wherefore I have sworn in my wrath, that they shall not enter into my rest." which is different from that rest, at the beginning of the world, when the work of creation was finished.

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.

Worrell New Testament
For we who believed do enter into rest, even as He said, "As I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter into My rest; although the works were finished from the founding of a world."

Worsley New Testament
For we who believe shall enter into rest, as He said above, "So I sware in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest:" though the works of creation were finished from the foundation of the world:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sabbath Rest
2For 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. 3Now we who have believed enter that rest. As for the others, it is just as God has said: “So I swore on oath in My anger, They shall never enter My rest.’” And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world. 4For somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in this manner: “And on the seventh day God rested from all His works.”…

Cross References
Psalm 95:11
So I swore on oath in My anger, “They shall never enter My rest.”

Numbers 14:22-23
not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness—yet have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times— / not one will ever see the land that I swore to give their fathers. None of those who have treated Me with contempt will see it.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Psalm 95:7-8
For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, in the day at Massah in the wilderness,

Exodus 33:14
And the LORD answered, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Deuteronomy 1:34-35
When the LORD heard your words, He grew angry and swore an oath, saying, / “Not one of the men of this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your fathers,

Isaiah 28:12
to whom He has said: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen.

John 3:18
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Romans 4:3
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Romans 10:16
But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”

1 Corinthians 10:5
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.

2 Thessalonians 1:7
and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels

Revelation 14:13
And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.”

Genesis 2:2
And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work.

Joshua 21:44
And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.


Treasury of Scripture

For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

we.

Hebrews 3:14
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

Isaiah 28:12
To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

Jeremiah 6:16
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

As I.

Hebrews 3:11
So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

Psalm 95:11
Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

the works.

Genesis 1:31
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Exodus 20:11
For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

from.

Hebrews 9:26
For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Matthew 13:35
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

Ephesians 1:4
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

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Hebrews 4
1. The Sabbath-Rest for Christians is attained by faith.
12. The power of God's word.
14. By our high priest Jesus, the Son of God,
16. we may and must go boldly to the throne of grace.














Now we who have believed
This phrase emphasizes the condition of faith as a prerequisite for entering God's rest. The Greek word for "believed" is "πιστεύσαντες" (pisteusantes), which implies a continuous and active trust in God. In the historical context of the early church, this belief was not merely intellectual assent but a deep, transformative faith that aligned with the teachings of Jesus Christ. The early Christians, many of whom were Jewish converts, understood belief as a commitment that involved both heart and mind, leading to a new way of life.

enter that rest
The concept of "rest" here is deeply rooted in the Jewish understanding of the Sabbath and the Promised Land. The Greek word "κατάπαυσιν" (katapausin) refers to a cessation from labor, echoing God's rest on the seventh day of creation. Historically, this rest was symbolized by the Israelites entering Canaan, but the author of Hebrews expands it to mean a spiritual rest available to believers through faith in Christ. This rest is not just a future promise but a present reality for those who trust in Jesus, offering peace and assurance amidst life's struggles.

just as God has said
This phrase underscores the reliability and authority of God's word. The author of Hebrews frequently quotes the Old Testament to demonstrate the continuity of God's plan. Here, the reference is likely to Psalm 95, which warns against unbelief and disobedience. The historical context shows that God's promises are trustworthy, and His declarations are fulfilled in Christ. For the early Christians, this was a powerful reminder that God's word is unchanging and dependable.

So I swore on oath in My anger
This part of the verse reflects God's response to the Israelites' disobedience in the wilderness, as recorded in Psalm 95:11. The Greek word for "swore" is "ὤμοσα" (ōmosa), indicating a solemn and binding promise. God's "anger" (Greek: "ὀργῇ," orgē) is not capricious but a righteous response to persistent unbelief and rebellion. For the original audience, this served as a sobering reminder of the consequences of hardening one's heart against God.

‘They shall never enter My rest.’”
This quotation from Psalm 95:11 serves as a warning and a call to faithfulness. The phrase "shall never enter" (Greek: "εἰσελεύσονται," eiseleusontai) is emphatic, highlighting the finality of God's judgment on those who persist in unbelief. Historically, this was a reference to the generation of Israelites who perished in the wilderness. For the early church, it was a caution against falling away from the faith. The "rest" of God is a profound spiritual reality, symbolizing eternal life and communion with Him, accessible through faith in Jesus Christ.

(3) For we which have believed.--The emphasis is two-fold, resting both on "believed" and on "we enter." The former looks back to Hebrews 4:2, "by faith"--"for it is we who believed that enter." . . . The latter looks forward to the remainder of the verse, the purport of which is that the rest exists, and that "entering into the rest" may still be spoken of.

As I have sworn . . .--Rather (as above), as I sware in My wrath, They shall not enter into My rest, (See Hebrews 3:11.) If in the Scripture (Psalm 95:8) God warns men of a later age not to imitate the guilt of those whom He excluded from His rest, it follows (see below on Hebrews 4:10) that the time for entering into the rest of God was not then past and gone.

Although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.--And therefore the rest into which God will enter with His redeemed people is not that which succeeded the works of creation. This caution is added because the words used by the Psalmist (Psalm 95:11) are derived from Genesis 2:2-3; though the same words are used, yet, we are reminded, the thought is widely different. The next two verses simply expand and support the thought contained in this: "For whereas we read in one Scripture that God 'rested' on the seventh day, another records His sentence on the disobedient people, 'They shall not enter into My rest.'" . . .

Verse 3. - For we do enter into the rest, we who have believed (οἱ πιστεύσαντες, the historical aorist, pointing to the time when Christians became believers; with a reference also to τῇ πίστει in the preceding verse: but the emphasis is on the first word in the sentence, εἰσερχόμεθα: "For we Christian believers have an entrance into the rest intended") even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, If they shall enter into my rest; although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. This seems to be a concise enunciation of the proof, unfolded in the verses that follow, of the true rest being one into which Christians have still an entrance. The idea is that, though God's own rest had been from the beginning, and man had not yet entered it, yet the possibility of his doing so had not ceased to be intimated: it had continued open potentially to man.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

[we] who
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

have believed
πιστεύσαντες (pisteusantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.

enter
Εἰσερχόμεθα (Eiserchometha)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.

[that]
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

rest.
κατάπαυσιν (katapausin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2663: From katapauo; reposing down, i.e. abode.

[As for the others, ] it is just as
καθὼς (kathōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

[God] has said:
εἴρηκεν (eirēken)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2046: Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.

“So
Ὡς (Hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

I swore on oath
ὤμοσα (ōmosa)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3660: A prolonged form of a primary, but obsolete omo, for which another prolonged form omoo is used in certain tenses; to swear, i.e. Take oath.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

my
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

anger,
ὀργῇ (orgē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3709: From oregomai; properly, desire, i.e., violent passion (justifiable) abhorrence); by implication punishment.

‘They shall never enter
εἰσελεύσονται (eiseleusontai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

rest.’”
κατάπαυσίν (katapausin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2663: From katapauo; reposing down, i.e. abode.

And yet
Καίτοι (Kaitoi)
Conjunction
Strong's 2543: And yet, although, though. From kai and toi; and yet, i.e. Nevertheless.

[His]
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

works
ἔργων (ergōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.

have been finished
γενηθέντων (genēthentōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

since
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

[the] foundation
καταβολῆς (katabolēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2602: From kataballo; a deposition, i.e. Founding; figuratively, conception.

of [the] world.
κόσμου (kosmou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889: Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).


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NT Letters: Hebrews 4:3 For we who have believed do enter (Heb. He. Hb)
Hebrews 4:2
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