For the word of God is alive and powerful.
It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword,
cutting between soul and spirit,
between joint and marrow.
It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God.
Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes,
and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
God’s promise of entering his rest still stands…
this good news—that God has prepared this rest—
has been announced to us…
…only we who believe can enter his rest…
…even though this rest has been ready since he made the world.
…“On the seventh day God rested from all his work.”
So God’s rest is there for people to enter…
So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.
So let us do our best to enter that rest…
…the Holy Spirit says,
“Today when you hear his voice,
don’t harden your hearts…”
Remember what it says:
“Today when you hear his voice,
don’t harden your hearts…”
…“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth
and made the heavens with your hands.
They will perish, but you remain forever.
They will wear out like old clothing.
You will fold them up like a cloak
and discard them like old clothing.
But you are always the same;
you will live forever.”
The Son radiates God’s own glory
and expresses the very character of God,
and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command.
When he had cleansed us from our sins,
he sat down in the place of honor
at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.
…we look forward with hope to that wonderful day
when the glory of our great God and Savior,
Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin,
to cleanse us,
and to make us his very own people…
…Christ Jesus…will someday judge the living and the dead…
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen
to sound and wholesome teaching.
They will follow their own desires
and look for teachers who will tell them
whatever their itching ears want to hear.
They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
…keep a clear mind in every situation.
…Work at telling others the Good News.
All Scripture is inspired by God
and is useful to teach us what is true
and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
It corrects us when we are wrong
and teaches us to do what is right.
…I know the one in whom I trust,
and I am sure that he is able to guard
what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.
…God saved us and called us to live a holy life.
He did this, not because we deserved it,
but because that was his plan
from before the beginning of time—
to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.
…He broke the power of death
and illuminated the way to life and immortality
through the Good News.
