Hebrews 7
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham turning back from the striking of 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 also Abraham divided a tenth of all (first, indeed, 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, and having been like the Son of God, remains 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 And see how great this one [is], to whom Abraham the patriarch also gave a tenth out of the best of the spoils,
Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.
5 and those, indeed, out of the sons of Levi receiving the priesthood, have a command to take tithes from the people according to the Law, that is, their brothers, even though they came forth 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 and he who was not reckoned by genealogy of them, received tithes from Abraham, and he has blessed him having 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 and apart from all controversy, the less is blessed by the better—
And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8 and here, indeed, men who die receive tithes, and there [he] who is testified to that he was living,
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 even Levi who is receiving tithes, has paid tithes,
And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham.
10 for he was yet in the loins of the father when Melchizedek met him.
For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
11 If indeed, then, perfection were through the Levitical priesthood—for the people under it had received law—what further need, according to the order of Melchizedek, for another priest to arise, and not to be called according to 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, of necessity also, a change comes of the Law,
For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.
13 for He of whom these things are said in another tribe has had part, of whom no one gave attendance at 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] evident that out of Judah has arisen our Lord, in regard to which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
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 most evident, if according to the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,
And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
16 who did not come according to the law of a fleshly command, but according to the power of an endless life,
one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life.
17 for He testifies, “You [are] a priest—throughout the age, according to the order of Melchizedek”; (aiōn g165)
For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” (aiōn g165)
18 for an annulling indeed comes of the command going before because of its weakness, and unprofitableness
So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless
19 (for nothing did the Law perfect), and the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
20 And inasmuch as [it is] not apart from oath
And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,
21 (for those indeed apart from oath have become priests, and He [became priest] with an oath through Him who is saying to Him, “The LORD swore, and will not regret, You [are] a priest throughout the age, according to the order of Melchizedek”), (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 also has Jesus become guarantee of a better covenant,
Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 and those indeed are many who have become priests, because by death they are hindered from remaining;
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 from where also He is able to save to the very end, those coming through Him to God—ever living to make intercession 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 also such a Chief Priest was fitting for us—holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from the sinners, and having 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 no daily necessity, as the chief priests, to first offer up sacrifice for His own sins, then for those of the people; for this He did once, 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 appoints men [as] chief priests, having weakness, but the word of the oath that [is] after the Law [appoints] the Son having been perfected throughout the age. (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)
