< Hebrews 7 >

1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
Now this Melchisedec was king of Salem, a priest of the most high God: and he met Abraham, when returning from the slaughter of the kings; and blessed him.
2 and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”
And to him Abraham imparted tithes of all that he had with him. Moreover his name is interpreted king of righteousness; and again he is called King of Salem, that is King of Peace.
3 Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.
Of whom neither his father nor his mother are written in the genealogies; nor the commencement of his days, nor the end of his life; but, after the likeness of the Son of God, his priesthood remaineth for ever.
4 Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.
And consider ye, how great he was; to whom the patriarch Abraham gave tithes and first-fruits.
5 Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.
For they of the sons of Levi who received the priesthood, had a statute of the law, that they should take tithes from the people; they from their brethren, because they also are of the seed of Abraham.
6 But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
But this man, who is not enrolled in their genealogies, took tithes from Abraham; and blessed him who had received the promise.
7 And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.
But it is beyond controversy, that the inferior is blessed by his superior.
8 In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedek, it is affirmed that he lives on.
And here, men who die, receive the tithes; but there he of whom the scripture testifieth that he liveth.
9 And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham.
And through Abraham, as one may say, even Levi who receiveth tithes, was himself tithed.
10 For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
For he was yet in the loins of his father, when he met Melchisedec.
11 Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?
If, therefore, perfection had been by means of the priesthood of the Levites, in which the law was enjoined on the people; why was another priest required, who should stand up after the likeness of Melchisedec? For it should have said, He shall be after the likeness of Aaron.
12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.
But as there is a change in the priesthood, so also is there a change in the law.
13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
For he of whom these things were spoken, was born of another tribe, of which no one ever ministered at the altar.
14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.
For it is manifest that our Lord arose from Judah, from a tribe of which Moses said nothing concerning a priesthood.
15 And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
And moreover this is further manifest, from his saying that another priest will stand up, after the likeness of Melchisedec,
16 one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life.
who was not according to the law of corporeal injunctions, but according to the energy of an indissoluble life.
17 For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” (aiōn g165)
For he testified of him: Thou art a priest for ever, after the likeness of Melchisedec. (aiōn g165)
18 So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless
And the change which was made in the first statute, was on account of its impotency, and because their was no utility in it.
19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
For the law perfected nothing; but in the place of it there came in a hope, which is better than it, and by which we draw near to God.
20 And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,
And he confirmed it to us by an oath.
21 but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’” (aiōn g165)
For they became priests without an oath; but this man by an oath. As he said to him by David: The Lord hath sworn, and will not lie, Thou art a priest for ever, after the likeness of Melchisedec. (aiōn g165)
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
By all this, is that a better covenant of which Jesus is the sponsor.
23 Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
And they as priests were numerous, because they were mortal, and were not permitted to continue:
24 But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. (aiōn g165)
but this man, because he standeth up for ever, his priesthood doth not pass away: (aiōn g165)
25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
and he is able to vivify for ever, them who come to God by him; for he always liveth, and sendeth up prayers for them.
26 Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
For, a priest like to him, was also suitable for us; one pure, and without evil and without stain; one separated from sins, and exalted higher than heaven;
27 Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.
and who is not obliged, every day, like the Aaronic high priest, to first offer sacrifices for his own sins, and then for the people; for this he did once, by offering up himself.
28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. (aiōn g165)
For the law constituted feeble men priests; but the word of the oath, which was subsequent to the law constituted the Son perfect for ever. (aiōn g165)

< Hebrews 7 >