HEB 4:16 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Let us then approach with confidence to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace for timely help.

UST So then, we should boldly go closer to God, who rules graciously. That way, he will act mercifully and kindly toward us when we need him to help us.

BLB Therefore we should come with boldness to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

AICNT Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

OEB Therefore, let us draw near boldly to the throne of love, to find pity and love for the hour of need.

WEBBE Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.

LSV we may come near, then, with freedom, to the throne of grace, that we may receive kindness, and find grace—for seasonable help.

FBV So we should go confidently to God on his throne of grace so we can receive mercy, and discover grace to help us when we really need it.

TCNT Therefore let us draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

T4T So, let us come boldly to Christ [MTY], who rules [MET] from heaven and does for us what we do not deserve, in order that we might experience his acting mercifully toward us, and in order that we might experience his helping us in a kind way whenever we need help.

LEB Therefore let us approach with confidence to the throne of grace, in order that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

BBE Then let us come near to the seat of grace without fear, so that mercy may be given to us, and we may get grace for our help in time of need.

Moff So let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in the hour of need.

Wymth Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our times of need.
¶ 

ASV Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.

DRA Let us go therefore with confidence to the throne of grace: that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in seasonable aid.

YLT we may come near, then, with freedom, to the throne of the grace, that we may receive kindness, and find grace — for seasonable help.

Drby Let us approach therefore with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and find grace for seasonable help.

RV Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.

SLT We should therefore go with freedom of speech to the throne of grace, that we receive mercy, and find grace for timely assistance.

Wbstr Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

KJB-1769 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

KJB-1611 Let vs therefore come boldly vnto the throne of grace, that wee may obtaine mercy, and finde grace to helpe in time of need.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above)

Bshps Let vs therfore come boldly vnto the throne of grace, that we may obteyne mercie, and fynde grace to helpe in time of neede.
(Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of neede.)

Gnva Let vs therefore goe boldly vnto ye throne of grace, that we may receiue mercy, and finde grace to helpe in time of neede.
(Let us therefore go boldly unto ye/you_all throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and find grace to help in time of neede. )

Cvdl Let vs therfore go boldely vnto the seate of grace that we maye receaue mercy, and fynde grace to helpe in the tyme of nede.
(Let us therefore go boldly unto the seat of grace that we may receive mercy, and find grace to help in the time of nede.)

TNT Let vs therfore goo boldely vnto the seate of grace that we maye receave mercy and fynde grace to helpe in tyme of nede.
(Let us therefore go boldly unto the seat of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of nede. )

Wycl Therfor go we with trist to the trone of his grace, that we gete merci, and fynde grace in couenable help.
(Therefore go we with trist to the throne of his grace, that we gotten mercy, and find grace in convenient help.)

Luth Darum lasset uns hinzutreten mit Freudigkeit zu dem Gnadenstuhl, auf daß wir Barmherzigkeit empfangen und Gnade finden auf die Zeit, wenn uns Hilfe not sein wird.
(Therefore let us/to_us/ourselves intreten with joy to/for to_him mercy_seat, on/in/to that we/us compassion received and grace find on/in/to the time/period, when us/to_us/ourselves help(n) not be becomes.)

ClVg Adeamus ergo cum fiducia ad thronum gratiæ: ut misericordiam consequamur, et gratiam inveniamus in auxilio opportuno.[fn]
(Adeamus therefore when/with confidence to throne thanks: as mercy consequamur, and grace I_will_findus in/into/on help(v) at_the_right_time. )

4.16 In auxilio opportuno. Nunc tempus est auxilii, nunc est tempus donorum, cum post baptismum peccantes per gratiam invenire pœnitentiam possunt. Cum autem thalamus fuerit clausus, cum intraverit rex videre discumbentes, ut ad sinum patriarchæ venerint qui eo fuerint digni, tunc malis erit desperationis tempus. Nunc autem cum adhuc agon permanet et palma pendet, non est desperandum, sed cum fiducia, id est sine dubitatione accedendum, ut per gratiam accedatur, inveniatur auxilium opportunum. Est enim tempus quod non congruit.

4.16 In help(v) at_the_right_time. now time/season it_is help, now it_is time/season gifts, when/with after baptism sinning through grace to_find repentance they_can. Since however thalamus has_been clausus, when/with entered king to_see those_who_sit_down, as to pocket patriarchs venerint who/which by_him they_have_been worthy, then bad_things will_be desperationis time/season. now however when/with still agon continues and palm_tree hangs, not/no it_is desperandum, but when/with confidence, that it_is without doubtsione accedendum, as through grace accedatur, be_found help/aid(n) opportunum. It_is because time/season that not/no fits.

UGNT προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεος, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν, εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν.
(proserⱪōmetha oun meta parraʸsias tōi thronōi taʸs ⱪaritos, hina labōmen eleos, kai ⱪarin heurōmen, eis eukairon boaʸtheian.)

SBL-GNT προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεος καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν.
(proserⱪōmetha oun meta parraʸsias tōi thronōi taʸs ⱪaritos, hina labōmen eleos kai ⱪarin heurōmen eis eukairon boaʸtheian.)

RP-GNT Προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεον, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν.
(Proserⱪōmetha oun meta parraʸsias tōi thronōi taʸs ⱪaritos, hina labōmen eleon, kai ⱪarin heurōmen eis eukairon boaʸtheian.)

TC-GNT Προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν [fn]ἔλεον, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν.
(Proserⱪōmetha oun meta parraʸsias tōi thronōi taʸs ⱪaritos, hina labōmen eleon, kai ⱪarin heurōmen eis eukairon boaʸtheian. )

4:16 ελεον ¦ ελεος CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:14–16: So let’s be faithful to Jesus, our great high priest

This short section (4:14–16) has three main points:

It encourages the readers to continue to believe the truth about Jesus that they publicly accepted.
It repeats that Jesus is our high priest (see 2:17), and it describes what kind of priest he is.
It introduces the next section, which describes Jesus’ work as high priest.

Remember to translate the section before choosing a heading for it. Some other possible headings are:

Jesus Is the Great High Priest (CEV)

Jesus Our Compassionate High Priest (NET)

Christ Is Superior to Other Chief Priests (GW)

4:16a

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,

So, let’s come confidently to the seat of our^(incl) merciful/gracious God,
Therefore let us^(incl) come near our God without hesitation/fear. He is very kind,

Let us then: Here the word then introduces an exhortation that is based on 4:14–15. It is the same word that was used in 4:14a. Connect this exhortation with 4:15 in a way that is natural in your language.

Let us…approach the throne of grace with confidence: In this exhortation the author used a figure of speech. Literally, the word throne refers to the chair or seat on which a king sits to rule his people. Figuratively, the phrase approach the throne refers to coming to God by praying to him. The phrase of grace indicates that God rules with kindness and generosity. The author used the whole exhortation to encourage his listeners to pray to God with confidence (confidence).

Some ways to translate this clause are:

we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God (CEV)

let’s come to God’s seat with confidence, knowing that he is gracious

In some languages a translation like “come to the throne of God” may wrongly imply that a person dies and comes to God in heaven. If that is true in your language, you should translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

let’s pray with assurance to God, our gracious King

let’s come with confidence into the presence of God. He shows grace/kindness

Let us…approach: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as Let us…approach is an exhortation.See also 10:22. We can approach God because of what Jesus, the high priest, has done. This is a major theme of Hebrews. The English words Let us indicate that the exhortation includes the author. It is not a request for permission here. In many languages (as in Greek), words like “let us” are not needed because the form of the verb indicates who should approach. Another way to translate this exhortation is:

we should approach

let’s come/pray to

approach: The verb approach is important in this context. It implies that God’s people can now freely come to God by praying. In the OT, no one except the high priest could approach the “mercy seat,” which symbolized God’s presence. Now because of Jesus, all of God’s people can come to him.

Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

get near to God by means of prayingBased on the Western Bukidnon Manobo back translation on TW.

come into God’s presence

go/come to God

the throne of grace: The word throne usually refers to a special chair that is reserved for the king. It also refers to the king’s authority. The phrase the throne of grace is a figure of speech to refer to God himself. It indicates that he rules with grace and mercy. The term throne of grace is similar to the term “mercy seat,” which was used in the OT. It also symbolized God’s presence.

Some other ways to translate the throne of grace are:

Translate the figure of speech. For example:
God on his Seat in heavenUma back translation on TW. If you use this option, be sure that it does not imply coming to God in heaven after death.
Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:
God who rules with mercy/grace
God, the source/owner of grace
God praying to him because he loves and is mercifulYakan back translation on TW.

For more translation examples, see the note on grace in the next part of the verse.

with confidence: The phrase with confidence refers here to having a confident attitude toward God, not being afraid of him.BDAG, παρρησία, meaning 3b, page 781. It was also used in 3:6, where the BSB translated it as “confidence.” and it will occur again in 10:19 and 10:35.

Some ways to translate with confidence are:

confidently

without fear

4:16b

so that we may receive mercy

so that we^(incl) may receive his mercy
and he will be merciful/kind to us^(incl)

4:16c

and find grace to help us in our time of need.

and obtain/receive his grace to help us^(incl) when we need it.
and will give us^(incl) the help that we need.

4:16b–c

so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need: This clause tells the purpose of coming near to God in 4:16a. We come to him so that he will be merciful to us, and so that he will help us with his grace. Another way to translate this purpose is:

so that we will receive help and gracious kindness when we need it

The context indicates that God is the source of the mercy and grace that we receive. In some languages it is more natural to make that explicit in this clause. For example:

so that God will be merciful to us and graciously help us when we are in need

mercy: The Greek word that the BSB translates as mercy refers to an act of kindness for someone in need. It does not refer only to feeling pity for a person. In this verse it refers to the kind of help that God gives to people in need. He heals them, forgives their sins, and provides what they need. He comforts and sustains them when they endure sorrow, danger, or persecution.

Some other ways to translate mercy are:

show kindness

have compassion/pity on us

The word mercy occurs only here in Hebrews. For more information, see mercy, sense 2, in KBT.

find grace: The phrase find grace refers to receiving grace. The grace is given by God, just as “mercy” is in the preceding phrase. In some languages a word like find may imply the wrong meaning that the grace was discovered by accident. The context indicates that God is the source of the grace, and this should be clear in your translation of the verse.

Other ways to translate find grace are:

receive grace

experience grace

grace: The Greek word that the BSB translates as grace, refers to kindness or help that is given to people freely, not because they have done anything to deserve it. In this context, the word refers to God’s grace. He is good to people because he loves them. The people have not done anything to deserve his goodness.

Some other ways to translate grace in this context are:

kindness

generous help

In many languages it may be more natural to translate grace with a verb or verb phrase. In this context the implied subject is God. For example:

so that God will be kind/generous to you

so that God will graciously help you

For more information, see grace, sense A2(b), in KBT.

to help us in our time of need: The phrase to help us in our time of need means “to help us when we need help.” Some ways to translate the phrase are:

whenever we need help (NET)

and He will help us at the time of difficultiesWestern Bukidnon Manobo back translation on TW.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

προσερχώμεθα οὖν

˱we˲_˓may_be˒_approaching (Some words not found in SR-GNT: προσερχώμεθα Οὖν μετά παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεος καί χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν)

The word then introduces an exhortation that is based [4:14–15](../04/14.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces an exhortation. Alternate translation: [Therefore, let us approach] or [Because of that, let us approach]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος

The word approach refers implicitly to getting close to something but not necessarily being right next to it. The author wants believers to approach God’s throne in heaven. This means that they enter into God’s presence. It does not mean that they enter into heaven to be right next to the throne. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that refers to being in someone’s presence. Alternate translation: [Let us then with confidence go before the throne of grace]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

μετὰ παρρησίας

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: προσερχώμεθα Οὖν μετά παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεος καί χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of confidence, you could express the idea by using an adverb such as “boldly” or “confidently.” Alternate translation: [confidently]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τῷ θρόνῳ

˱to˲_the throne

The word throne refers to the one sitting on the throne: God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could clarify that the word throne refers to God on his throne. Alternate translation: [to God on his throne]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος

˱to˲_the throne ¬the ˱of˲_grace

The author uses the possessive form to describe how grace comes from God on the throne. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea without using a possessive form. Alternate translation: [to throne from which grace comes]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος

˱to˲_the throne ¬the ˱of˲_grace

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of grace, you could express the idea by using an adjective such as “gracious” or an adverb such as “graciously.” Alternate translation: [to the gracious throne] or [to throne where God rules graciously]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

λάβωμεν ἔλεος, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν

˱we˲_˓may˒_receive mercy (Some words not found in SR-GNT: προσερχώμεθα Οὖν μετά παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεος καί χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν)

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of mercy and grace, you could express the idea by using verbs or in some other natural way. Alternate translation: [God may be merciful and gracious to us]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

λάβωμεν ἔλεος, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν

The two phrases receive mercy and find grace mean basically the same thing and are used together to emphasize how God will act kindly and lovingly toward those who believe in Jesus. If your language does not use repetition to do this, or if you do not have two words for these attributes, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: [we may receive grace] or [we may receive favor]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

χάριν εὕρωμεν

grace ˱we˲_˓may˒_find

The author speaks as if grace were an object that people could find. He means that people can receive grace from God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in a different way. Alternate translation: [grace] or [experience grace]

Parallel HEB 4:16

Section 4:14–16: So let’s be faithful to Jesus, our great high priest

4:16a

4:16b

4:16c

4:16b–c