Hebrews 7
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, having met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, also blessed him.
For this man, Melchizedek, King of Salem and priest of the Most High God--he who when Abraham was returning after defeating the kings met him and pronounced a blessing on him--
2 To whom also Abraham divided a tenth of all. Being actually translated, first, king of righteousness, and then also, king of Salem, which is king of peace,
to whom also Abraham presented a tenth part of all--being first, as his name signifies, King of righteousness, and secondly King of Salem, that is, King of peace:
3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but having been made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
with no father or mother, and no record of ancestry: having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made a type of the Son of God--this man Melchizedek remains a priest for ever.
4 And notice how great this man was, to whom also the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth out of the best spoils.
Now think how great this priest-king must have been to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth part of the best of the spoil.
5 Now indeed those of the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have commandment to collect tithes from the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, although having come out of the loins of Abraham.
And those of the descendants of Levi who receive the priesthood are authorized by the Law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brethren, though these have sprung from Abraham.
6 But the man who did not descend from them has received tithes from Abraham, and has blessed the man having the promises.
But, in this instance, one who does not trace his origin from them takes tithes from Abraham, and pronounces a blessing on him to whom the promises belong.
7 And without all contradiction the inferior is blessed by the superior.
And beyond all dispute it is always the inferior who is blessed by the superior.
8 And here indeed, men who die receive tithes, but there, he who is testified about that he lives.
Moreover here frail mortal men receive tithes: there one receives them about whom there is evidence that he is alive.
9 And, so to speak, Levi also, the man who receives tithes, has paid tithes through Abraham,
And Levi too--if I may so speak--pays tithes through Abraham:
10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
for Levi was yet in the loins of his forefather when Melchizedek met Abraham.
11 If indeed therefore perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people had received the law), what further need is there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?
Now if the crowning blessing was attainable by means of the Levitical priesthood--for as resting on this foundation the people received the Law, to which they are still subject-- what further need was there for a Priest of a different kind to be raised up belonging to the order of Melchizedek instead of being said to belong to the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity a change of law also occurs.
For when the priesthood changes, a change of Law also of necessity takes place.
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertains to another tribe, from which no man has attended to the altar.
He, however, to whom that prophecy refers is associated with a different tribe, not one member of which has anything to do with the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord arose out of Judah, regarding which tribe Moses spoke nothing about the priesthood.
For it is undeniable that our Lord sprang from Judah, a tribe of which Moses said nothing in connection with priests.
15 And it is still far more evident, if according to the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest,
And this is still more abundantly clear when we read that it is as belonging to the order of Melchizedek that a priest of a different kind is to arise,
16 who has become, not according to a law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an indestructible life.
and hold His office not in obedience to any temporary Law, but by virtue of an indestructible Life.
17 For he testifies, Thou are a priest into the age according to the order of Melchizedek. (aiōn g165)
For the words are in evidence, "Thou art a priest for ever, belonging to the order of Melchizedek." (aiōn g165)
18 For indeed there becomes an annulment of a preceding commandment because of its weakness and uselessness
On the one hand we have here the abrogation of an earlier code because it was weak and ineffective--
19 (for the law made nothing fully perfect), and an introduction of a better hope, through which we approach God.
for the Law brought no perfect blessing--but on the other hand we have the bringing in of a new and better hope by means of which we draw near to God.
20 And inasmuch as it is not without an oath. For actually those who become priests are so without an oath,
And since it was not without an oath being taken--
21 but he with an oath, because of him who says to him, The Lord swore and will not change his mind, Thou are a priest into the age according to the order of Melchizedek. (aiōn g165)
for these men hold office without any oath having been taken, but He holds it attested by an oath from Him who said to Him, "The Lord has sworn and will not recall His words, Thou art a Priest for ever" -- (aiōn g165)
22 By so much, Jesus has become the surety of a better covenant.
so much the more also is the Covenant of which Jesus has become the guarantor, a better covenant.
23 And of course those who have become priests are more, because of being prevented to continue by death,
And they have been appointed priests many in number, because death prevents their continuance in office:
but He, because He continues for ever, has a priesthood which does not pass to any successor. (aiōn g165)
25 Whereupon he is able also to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him, being always alive in order to intercede on their behalf.
Hence too He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, seeing that He ever lives to plead for them.
26 For such a high priest is fitting for us, devout, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and having become higher than the heavens.
Moreover we needed just such a High Priest as this--holy, guileless, undefiled, far removed from sinful men and exalted above the heavens;
27 Who has no need to offer up sacrifices each day, as those high priests, first for his own sins, then for those of the people, for this he did, once, when he offered up himself.
who, unlike other High Priests, is not under the necessity of offering up sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and afterwards for those of the people; for this latter thing He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
28 For the law appoints men high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath after the law, a Son who has been fully perfected into the age. (aiōn g165)
For the Law constitutes men High Priests--men with all their infirmity--but the utterance of the oath, which came later than the Law, constitutes High Priest a Son who has been made for ever perfect. (aiōn g165)
