Hebrews 7
1 For this Melchisedec, King of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from smiting the kings, and blessed him;
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,
2 to whom Abraham gave also the tenth portion of all; first being interpreted King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is King of peace;
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.”
3 without father, without mother, without genealogy; having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but assimilated to the Son of God, abides a priest continually.
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.
4 Now consider how great this [personage] was, to whom [even] the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth out of the spoils.
Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.
5 And they indeed from among the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is from their brethren, though these are come out of the loins of Abraham:
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.
6 but he who has no genealogy from them has tithed Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises.
But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
7 But beyond all gainsaying, the inferior is blessed by the better.
And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8 And here dying men receive tithes; but there [one] of whom the witness is that he lives;
In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedek, it is affirmed that he lives on.
9 and, so to speak, through Abraham, Levi also, who received tithes, has been made to pay tithes.
And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedec met him.
For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
11 If indeed then perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, for the people had their law given to them in connexion with it, what need [was there] still that a different priest should arise according to the order of Melchisedec, and not be named after the order of Aaron?
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?
12 For, the priesthood being changed, there takes place of necessity a change of law also.
For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.
13 For he, of whom these things are said, belongs to a different tribe, of which no one has [ever] been attached to the service of the altar.
He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
14 For it is clear that our Lord has sprung out of Juda, as to which tribe Moses spake nothing as to priests.
For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.
15 And it is yet more abundantly evident, since a different priest arises according to the similitude of Melchisedec,
And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
16 who has been constituted not according to law of fleshly commandment, but according to power of indissoluble life.
one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life.
17 For it is borne witness, Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec. (aiōn g165)
For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” (aiōn g165)
18 For there is a setting aside of the commandment going before for its weakness and unprofitableness,
So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless
19 (for the law perfected nothing, ) and the introduction of a better hope by which we draw nigh to God.
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
20 And by how much [it was] not without the swearing of an oath;
And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,
21 (for they are become priests without the swearing of an oath, but he with the swearing of an oath, by him who said, as to him, The Lord has sworn, and will not repent [of it], Thou [art] priest for ever [according to the order of Melchisedec]; ) (aiōn g165)
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)
22 by so much Jesus became surety of a better covenant.
Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 And they have been many priests, on account of being hindered from continuing by death;
Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. (aiōn g165)
25 Whence also he is able to save completely those who approach by him to God, always living to intercede for them.
Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
26 For such a high priest became us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and become higher than the heavens:
Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
27 who has not day by day need, as the high priests, first to offer up sacrifices for his own sins, then [for] those of the people; for this he did once for all [in] having offered up himself.
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.
28 For the law constitutes men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the swearing of the oath which [is] after the law, a Son perfected for ever. (aiōn g165)
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)
