• Hebrews 4:3
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 3 Εἰσερχόμεθα We are entering γὰρ for εἰς into τὴν the κατάπαυσιν ceasing down οἱ the (ones) πιστεύσαντες, having believed, καθὼς according as εἴρηκεν he has said Ὡς As ὤμοσα I swore ἐν in τῇ the ὀργῇ wrath μου of me Εἰ If εἰσελεύσονται they will enter εἰς into τὴν the κατάπαυσίν ceasing down μου, of me, καίτοι although τῶν of the ἔργων works ἀπὸ from καταβολῆς throwing down κόσμου of world γενηθέντων, of (ones) having come to be,

  • Hebrews 4:3
    The Bible in Living English

    • 3* For we believers come into rest, as he says “as I swore in my anger ‘They shall not come into my rest’” though it was back at the foundation of the world that the works were done.

  • Hebrews 4:3
    American Standard Version

    • 3 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.

  • Hebrews 4:3
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 3 For we who have believed are to enter into the rest, According as he hath said—So I sware in mine anger They shall not enter into my rest; And yet the works from the foundation of the world had been brought into existence,

  • Hebrews 4:3
    King James Version

    • 3 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.

  • Hebrews Study Notes—Chapter 4
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 4:3

      we who have exercised faith do enter into the rest: The context shows that Paul refers to the rest day that began when Jehovah finished his work of creation. (Heb 4:4, 5, 10) The Genesis record provides a key fact about that day: “God went on to bless the seventh day and to declare it sacred.” (Ge 2:2, 3) This declaration meant that by the end of the rest day, all of Jehovah’s purposes regarding the earth and mankind would be fulfilled. All creation would be exactly as God intended it to be. Though the rebellion of Satan, Adam, and Eve brought disharmony into that rest day, their actions did not disrupt Jehovah’s purpose. Paul’s inspired words assured the Hebrew Christians that they could enter into Jehovah’s rest. They could join Jehovah in his rest by obediently working in harmony with his advancing purpose. For example, they needed to trust in Jehovah and exercise faith in his promises.​—Heb 3:19; 4:6.

      although his works were finished: Jehovah’s earthly creative works were finished after Eve was created. So Paul’s reasoning here might be summed up this way: God’s rest day began long ago, and ever since then, God has invited humans to enter that rest. Although many refuse, the opportunity to “enter into the rest” has remained open for those who exercise faith.