Hebræos 4
1 Timeamus ergo ne forte relicta pollicitatione introeundi in requiem eius, existimetur aliquis ex vobis deesse.
We must, therefore, be very careful, though there is a promise still standing that we will enter upon God’s rest, that none of you even appear to have missed it.
2 Etenim et nobis nunciatum est, quemadmodum et illis. Sed non profuit illis sermo auditus, non admistus fidei ex iis, quæ audierunt.
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.
3 Ingrediemur enim in requiem, qui credidimus: quemadmodum dixit: Sicut iuravi in ira mea: Si introibunt in requiem meam: et quidem operibus ab institutione mundi perfectis.
Upon that rest we who have believed are now entering. As God has said – “In my wrath I swore – ‘They will never enter upon my rest;’” Although God’s work was finished at the creation of the world;
4 Dixit enim in quodam loco de die septima sic: Et requievit Deus die septima ab omnibus operibus suis.
for, in a passage referring to the seventh day, you will find these words – “God rested on the seventh day after all his work.”
5 Et in isto rursum: Si introibunt in requiem meam.
On the other hand, we read in that passage – “They will never enter upon my rest.”
6 Quoniam ergo superest introire quosdam in illam, et ii, quibus prioribus annunciatum est, non introierunt propter incredulitatem:
Since, then, there is still a promise that some will enter upon this rest, and since those who were first told the good news did not enter upon it, because of their disbelief,
7 Iterum terminat diem quendam, Hodie, in David dicendo, post tantum temporis, sicut supra dictum est: Hodie si vocem eius audieritis, nolite obdurare corda vestra.
again God fixed a day. “Today,” he said, speaking after a long interval through the mouth of David, in the passage already quoted – “If today you hear God’s voice harden not your hearts.”
8 Nam si eis Iesus requiem præstitisset, numquam de alia loqueretur, posthac, die.
Now if Joshua had given “rest” to the people, God would not have spoken of another and later day.
9 Itaque relinquitur Sabbatismus populo Dei.
There is, then, a Sabbath rest still awaiting God’s people.
10 Qui enim ingressus est in requiem eius: etiam ipse requievit ab operibus suis, sicut a suis Deus.
For the person who enters upon God’s rest do themselves rest after their work, just as God did.
11 Festinemus ergo ingredi in illam requiem: ut ne in idipsum quis incidat incredulitatis exemplum.
Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter upon that rest, so that none of us fall through such disbelief as that of which we have had an example.
12 Vivus est enim Sermo Dei, et efficax, et penetrabilior omni gladio ancipiti: et pertingens usque ad divisionem animæ ac spiritus, compagum quoque ac medullarum, et discretor cogitationum et intentionum cordis.
God’s message is a living and active power, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing its way until it penetrates soul and spirit – not the joints only but the marrow – and detecting the inmost thoughts and purposes of the mind.
13 Et non est ulla creatura invisibilis in conspectu eius: omnia autem nuda et aperta sunt oculis eius, ad quem nobis sermo.
There is no created thing that can hide itself from the sight of God. Everything is exposed and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we have to give account.
14 Habentes ergo Pontificem magnum, qui penetravit cælos, Iesum Filium Dei: teneamus confessionem.
We have, then, in Jesus, the Son of God, a great high priest who has passed into the highest heaven; let us, therefore, hold fast to the faith which we have professed.
15 Non enim habemus pontificem, qui non possit compati infirmitatibus nostris: tentatum autem per omnia pro similitudine absque peccato.
Our high priest is not one unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who has in every way been tempted, exactly as we have been, but without sinning.
16 Adeamus ergo cum fiducia ad thronum gratiæ: ut misericordiam consequamur, et gratiam inveniamus in auxilio opportuno.
Therefore, let us draw near boldly to the throne of love, to find pity and love for the hour of need.
