Hebrews 7
1 Now this Melchizedek—king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
For this Melchisedech was king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him:
2 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’),
To whom also Abraham divided the tithes of all: who first indeed by interpretation, is king of justice: and then also 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.
Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but likened unto the Son of God, continueth a priest for ever.
4 Now consider how great this personage was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils:
Now consider how great this man is, to whom also Abraham the patriarch gave tithes out of the principal things.
5 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;
And indeed they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is to say, of their brethren: though they themselves also came out of the loins of Abraham.
6 but he whose descent is not counted among them collected a tithe from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
But he, whose pedigree is not numbered among them, received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7 Now without dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.
And without all contradiction, that which is less, is blessed by the better.
8 Also, here men who die receive tithes, but there he of whom it is testified that he lives
And here indeed, men that die, receive thithes: but there he hath witness, that he liveth.
9 —in a word, even Levi, who receives tithes, paid the tithe through Abraham,
And (as it may be said) even Levi who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham:
10 because he was still in the reproductive system of his forefather when Melchizedek met him.
For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedech met him.
11 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?
If then perfection was by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law, ) what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchisedech, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?
12 (Because when the priesthood is changed there is also a change of law, of necessity.)
For the priesthood being translated, it is necessary that a translation also be made of the law.
13 For He of whom these things are said belongs to a different tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
For he, of whom these things are spoken, is of another tribe, of which no one attended on the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord arose out of Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
For it is evident that our Lord sprung out of Juda: in which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
15 And it all becomes clearer still if a different kind of priest, in the likeness of Melchizedek, appears,
And it is yet far more evident: if according to the similitude of Melchisedech there ariseth another priest,
16 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.
Who is made not according to the law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an indissoluble life:
17 Because He testifies: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (aiōn g165)
For he testifieth: Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech. (aiōn g165)
18 You see, there is an annulling of the former rule because of its weakness and uselessness
There is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment, because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof:
19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
(For the law brought nothing to perfection, ) but a bringing in of a better hope, by which we draw nigh to God.
20 Further, inasmuch as it was not without the taking of an oath
And inasmuch as it is not without an oath, (for the others indeed were made priests without an oath;
21 —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)
But this with an oath, by him that said unto him: The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever.) (aiōn g165)
22 —by so much Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
By so much is Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23 Also, there have been many priests because death prevented them from continuing in office;
And the others indeed were made many priests, because by reason of death they were not suffered to continue:
But this, for that he continueth for ever, hath an everlasting priesthood, (aiōn g165)
25 Therefore He is able to save absolutely those who come to God through Him, since He always lives and can intercede on their behalf.
Whereby he is able also to save for ever them that come to God by him; always living to make intercession for us.
26 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—
For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 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.
Who needeth not daily (as the other priests) to offer sacrifices first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, in offering himself.
28 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)
For the law maketh men priests, who have infirmity: but the word of the oath, which was since the law, the Son who is perfected for evermore. (aiōn g165)
