Hebrews 7
1 It was this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.
Now this Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning from the slaughter of the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him,
2 It was to him that Abraham gave a tenth of everything. His name “Melchizedek” means “king of righteousness.” His other title is “king of Salem,” that is, “king of peace.”
and Abraham gave him a tenth of all the spoils. His name means “king of righteousness,” but he is also “king of Salem,” which means, “king of peace.”
3 He is without father, without mother, without ancestors, with neither beginning of days nor end of life. Instead, he resembles the Son of God, because he remains a priest forever.
He is without father, without mother, and without genealogy; there is no beginning to his days or end to his life. But resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
4 See how great this man was to whom the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the things that he had taken in battle.
Consider how great this man must be, that even Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth of the spoils.
5 The sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a command from the law to collect tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, even though they, too, have come from Abraham's body.
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office to collect tithes from the people, that is, their brothers, even though their brothers are also descended from Abraham.
6 But Melchizedek, whose descent was not traced from them, received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him, the one who had the promises.
But Melchizedek, who was not among the descendants of Levi, received a tithe from Abraham. He also blessed Abraham, who had received the promises.
7 There is no denying that the lesser person is blessed by the greater person.
It is beyond all dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.
8 In this case, mortal men receive tithes, but in that case it is testified that he lives on.
In the one case, tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, they are received by one who is attested to be living.
9 And, in a manner of speaking, Levi, who received tithes, also paid tithes through Abraham,
One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham.
10 because Levi was in the body of his ancestor when Melchizedek met Abraham.
For Levi was still in the loins of his ancestor Abraham when Melchizedek met him.
11 Now if perfection were possible through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the manner of Melchizedek, and not be considered to be after the manner of Aaron?
Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under this priesthood the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek rather than the order of Aaron?
12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed.
For when the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed.
13 For the one about whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
Now he of whom these things are spoken belongs to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
14 Now clearly, it is from Judah that our Lord was born, a tribe that Moses never mentioned concerning priests.
For it is clear that our Lord arose from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priesthood.
15 What we say is clearer yet if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek.
Now this point becomes even more clear when there arises another priest like Melchizedek,
16 It was not based on the law of fleshly descent that he became a priest, but instead was based on the power of an everlasting life.
one who has become a priest, not through a legal requirement concerning physical descent, but through the power of an endless life.
17 For scripture witnesses about him: “You are a priest forever after the manner of Melchizedek.” (aiōn g165)
For God testifies, “Yoʋ are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (aiōn g165)
18 For the former regulation is set aside because it is weak and useless,
The former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and ineffectiveness
19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, through which we come near to God.
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath,
And none of this happened without an oath. Aaron's descendants become priests without an oath,
21 but he became a priest when God said to him, “The Lord has sworn and he will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever.'” (aiōn g165)
but Jesus was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘Yoʋ are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’” (aiōn g165)
22 By this also Jesus has given the guarantee of a better covenant.
Accordingly, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
23 The former priests were many in number, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
Now the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office;
but because Jesus continues forever, he has a permanent priesthood. (aiōn g165)
25 Therefore he is also able to save completely those who approach God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Therefore he is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
26 For such a high priest is suitable for us. He is sinless, blameless, pure, separated from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.
It was fitting for us to have such a high priest, one who is holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
27 He does not need, unlike the high priests, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He did this once for all, when he offered himself.
He has no need, like the other high priests, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weaknesses. But the word of the oath, which came after the law, appointed a Son, who has been made perfect forever. (aiōn g165)
For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son, who has been made perfect forever. (aiōn g165)
