Study Desk

See to it, my brothers, that no evil, unbelieving heart is found in any of you, as shown by your turning away from the living God.

For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day as follows: "On the seventh day God rested from all his works,"Genesis 2:2">[fn]Genesis 2:2; Exodus 20:11; 31:17;">[xr]

There remains, therefore, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

For the one who enters God'shis">[fn] rest has himself rested from his own works, just as God diddid">[fn] from his.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, as it judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart.Proverbs 5:4; Isaiah 49:2; Jeremiah 23:29; 1 Corinthians 14:24-25; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Ephesians 6:17; 1 Peter 1:23; Revelation 1:16; 2:16;">[xr]

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us continue to hold on to our confession.Hebrews 3:1; 7:26; 10:23;">[xr]

For every high priest selected from among men is appointed to officiate on their behalfon behalf of men">[fn] in matters relating to God, that is, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.Hebrews 2:17; 8:3-4; 9:9; 10:11; 11:4;">[xr]

No one takes this honor upon himself but he is called to it by God, just as Aaron was.Exodus 28:1; Numbers 16:5,40; 1 Chronicles 23:13; 2 Chronicles 26:18; John 3:27;">[xr]

In the same way, Christ did not take upon himself the glory of being a high priest. No, it was God who saidHe said">[fn] to him,Psalm 2:7; John 8:54; Hebrews 1:5;">[xr] "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father."Psalm 2:7">[fn]

having been designated by God to be a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.Hebrews 5:6; 6:20;">[xr]

Therefore, leaving behind the elementary teachings about Christ, let us continue to be carried along to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, faith toward God,Philippians 3:12-14; Hebrews 5:12; 9:14;">[xr]

And this we will do,Let us do this">[fn] if God permits.Acts 18:21; 1 Corinthians 4:19;">[xr]

and who have fallen away, as long as they continue to crucify to themselves the Son of God and to expose him to public ridicule.Hebrews 10:29;">[xr]

For God is not so unjust as to forget your work and the love you have shown himshown for his name">[fn] as you have ministered to the saints and continue to minister to them.Proverbs 14:31; Matthew 10:42; 25:40; John 13:20; Romans 3:4; 15:25; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7; 2 Timothy 1:18;">[xr]

For when God made his promise to Abraham, he swore an oath by himself, since he had no one greater to swear by.Genesis 22:16-17; Psalm 105:9; Luke 1:73;">[xr]

In the same way, when God wanted to make the unchangeable character of his purpose perfectly clear to the heirs of his promise, he guaranteed it with an oath,Romans 11:29; Hebrews 11:9;">[xr]

so that by these two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to prove false, we who have taken refuge in him might have a strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.Hebrews 12:1;">[xr]

Now this man Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, met Abraham and blessed him when he was returning from slaughtering the kings.Genesis 14:18;">[xr]

He has no father, mother, or genealogy, and has neither beginning of days nor end of life. Like the Son of God, he continues to be a priest forever.

Therefore, because he always lives to intercede for them, he is able to save completelythoroughly">[fn] those who come to God through him.Romans 8:34; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:24; 1 John 2:1;">[xr]