Hebrews 7

1 For this Melchi-sedec was King of Salem, the Priest of the most high God, who met Abraham, as he returned from the slaughter of 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 also Abraham gaue the tithe of all things: who first is by interpretation King of righteousnes: after that, he is also King of Salem, that 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 kinred, and hath neither beginning of his dayes, neither ende of life: but is likened vnto the Sonne of God, and continueth a Priest for euer.

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 Nowe consider how great this man was, vnto whome euen the Patriarke Abraham gaue the tithe of the spoyles.

Now consider how great this personage was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils:

5 For verely they which are the childre of Leui, which receiue the office of the Priesthode, haue a commandement to take, according to the Law, tithes of the people (that is, of their bethren) though they came out of ye loynes 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 whose kindred is not couted among them, receiued tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that 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 And without all contradiction the lesse is blessed of the greater.

Now without dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.

8 And here men that die, receiue tithes: but there he receiueth them, of whome it is witnessed, that he liueth.

Also, here men who die receive tithes, but there he of whom it is testified that he lives

9 And to say as the thing is, Leui also which receiueth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

—in a word, even Levi, who receives tithes, paid the tithe through Abraham,

10 For hee was yet in the loynes of his father Abraham, when Melchi-sedec met him.

because he was still in the reproductive system of his forefather when Melchizedek met him.

11 If therefore perfection had bene by the Priesthoode of the Leuites (for vnder it the Lawe was established to the people) what needed it furthermore, that another Priest should rise after the order of Melchi-sedec, and not to be called 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 if the Priesthood be changed, then of necessitie must there be a change of the Lawe.

(Because when the priesthood is changed there is also a change of law, of necessity.)

13 For hee of whome these things are spoken, perteineth vnto another tribe, whereof no man serued at 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 euident, that our Lord sprung out of Iuda, concerning the which tribe Moses spake nothing, touching the Priesthood.

For it is evident that our Lord arose out of Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

15 And it is yet a more euident thing, because that after the similitude of Melchi-sedec, there is risen vp another Priest,

And it all becomes clearer still if a different kind of priest, in the likeness of Melchizedek, appears,

16 Which is not made Priest after the Law of the carnal commandement, but after the power of the endlesse 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 hee testifieth thus, Thou art a Priest for euer, after the order of Melchi-sedec. (aiōn g165)

Because He testifies: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (aiōn g165)

18 For the commandement that went afore, is disanulled, because of the weakenes thereof, and vnprofitablenes.

You see, there is an annulling of the former rule because of its weakness and uselessness

19 For the Law made nothing perfite, but the bringing in of a better hope made perfite, whereby we drawe neere vnto God.

(for the Law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

20 And for as much as it is not without an othe (for these are made Priestes without an othe:

Further, inasmuch as it was not without the taking of an oath

21 But this is made with an othe by him that said vnto him, The Lord hath sworne, and will not repent, Thou art a Priest for euer, after the order of Melchi-sedec) (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 is Iesus made a suretie of a better Testament.

—by so much Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

23 And among them many were made Priests, because they were not suffered to endure, by the reason of death.

Also, there have been many priests because death prevented them from continuing in office;

24 But this man, because hee endureth euer, hath a Priesthood, which cannot passe from one to another. (aiōn g165)

while He[S], because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. (aiōn g165)

25 Wherefore, hee is able also perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him, seeing he euer liueth, to make intercession 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 an hie Priest it became vs to haue, which is holy, harmelesse, vndefiled, separate from sinners, and made hier then the heauens:

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 Which needeth not daily as those hie Priests to offer vp sacrifice, first for his owne sinnes, and then for the peoples: for that did he once, when he offered vp himselfe.

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 maketh men hie Priestes, which haue infirmitie: but the word of the othe that was since the Lawe, maketh the Sonne, who is consecrated for euermore. (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)