This verse forms a transition to verses 12-13, which conclude the section. Many translations agree with Revised Standard Version in beginning a new paragraph here because of the exhortation, rather than at verse 12.

Then (literally “therefore”) often begins a new paragraph (compare verses 1, 14). Verse 11 marks a new appeal to the readers. Revised Standard Version‘s “For” in verse 12 links that verse with verse 11. On the other hand, verse 11 concludes the discussion of the rest and contains the last reference to the events of Numbers 14. Then does not refer to time; it expresses a conclusion or result, rendered often as “therefore” or “as a result of all this.”

Do our best: the Greek verb can mean “hurry” as in Traduction œcuménique de la Bible (Moffatt, Phillips “be eager”). However, verse 1 did not suggest the readers’ being “too late” to enter God’s rest. The idea is rather that of enthusiastic effort, so New American Bible has “strive,” Barclay “make every effort,” and Translator’s New Testament “do our utmost.” Verses 12-13 emphasize the element of effort in Christian living.

Let us … do our best is not a request for permission but an exhortation and may often be rendered as “we should do our best” or “we should try very hard.”

Fail is weaker than Revised Standard Version‘s literal “fall.” However, Good News Translation avoids “fall” here, as in3.12, where the meaning is the same, perhaps because in church language it means “lose one’s faith.” In this verse the writer is probably still thinking of those who fell down dead in the desert (3.17).

In a great many languages it is necessary to have some type of complement for the verb fail. So that no one of us will fail must then be rendered as “so that no one of us will fail to rest” or “… fail to receive the promise of being able to rest.”

Good News Translation, unlike Revised Standard Version, completes the comparison by adding as they did. This refers back to Those who first heard the Good News in verse 6. Other common language translations have “the people in the desert” (compare 3.17; Num 14.22). The reference to they may be made in terms of the historical event, for example, “those who lived long ago.”

As they did because of their lack of faith is literally “in the same sort of disobedience.” The Greek word for “sort” means “example,” but if a similar word is used in translation, as in King James Version, Jerusalem Bible, and New English Bible, it should be made clear that a bad example is meant. Here, as in verse 6, translations are about equally divided between the related ideas of disobedience (for example, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Moffatt, Jerusalem Bible) and unbelief (for example, King James Version, New English Bible). Numbers 14, especially verse 41, why are you disobeying the LORD now? suggests not only general unbelief but also specific acts of disobedience.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Letter of the Hebrews. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .