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;
Now this Melchizedek—king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who 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;
to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all (first, his name means ‘king of righteousness’, and then again ‘king of Salem’, which 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, 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.
4 Now consider how great this [personage] was, to whom [even] the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth out of the spoils.
Now consider how great this personage was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils:
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:
You see, those of the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a command, according to the Law, to collect a tithe from the people—that is, from their brothers—even though they too came out of Abraham's body;
6 but he who has no genealogy from them has tithed Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises.
but he whose descent is not counted among them collected a tithe from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
7 But beyond all gainsaying, the inferior is blessed by the better.
Now without dispute 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;
Also, here men who die receive tithes, but there he of whom it is testified that he lives
9 and, so to speak, through Abraham, Levi also, who received tithes, has been made to pay tithes.
—in a word, even Levi, who receives tithes, paid the tithe through Abraham,
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedec met him.
because he was still in the reproductive system of his forefather when Melchizedek met him.
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 then, if there could be perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people had received the Law), what further need would there be for a different kind of priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, rather than being called according to the order of Aaron?
12 For, the priesthood being changed, there takes place of necessity a change of law also.
(Because when the priesthood is changed there is also a change of law, of necessity.)
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.
For He of whom these things are said belongs to a different tribe, from which no one has officiated 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 evident that our Lord arose out of Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet more abundantly evident, since a different priest arises according to the similitude of Melchisedec,
And it all becomes clearer still if a different kind of priest, in the likeness of Melchizedek, appears,
16 who has been constituted not according to law of fleshly commandment, but according to power of indissoluble life.
who has come, not on the basis of a law about a physical rule but on the basis of 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)
Because He testifies: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (aiōn g165)
18 For there is a setting aside of the commandment going before for its weakness and unprofitableness,
You see, there is an annulling of the former rule because of its weakness and uselessness
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 bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
20 And by how much [it was] not without the swearing of an oath;
Further, inasmuch as it was not without the taking of 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)
—they indeed had become priests without an oath-taking, but He[S] with an oath by Him[F] who said to Him[S]: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His[F] mind; you are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (aiōn g165)
22 by so much Jesus became surety of a better covenant.
—by so much 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;
Also, there have been many priests because death prevented them from continuing in office;
while He[S], because He continues forever, has an unchangeable 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 absolutely those who come to God through Him, since He always lives and can intercede on their behalf.
26 For such a high priest became us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and become higher than the heavens:
Now such a High Priest was fitting for us—holy, innocent, undefiled, having been set apart from sinners, and having become higher than 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.
who, unlike those high priests, does not need to offer up daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; because He did this 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)
The Law appoints as high priest men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, that came after the Law, appointed Son, forever perfect. (aiōn g165)
