Hebrews 7
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings,
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 and blessed him, to whom also Abraham divided the tenth of all his spoils; being in the first place, by interpretation of his name, king of righteousness, and moreover 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 recorded, nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, remaineth 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 Now consider how great a man this was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.
5 And those indeed of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment according to the law to take tithes of the people, that is, of their brethren, though they came 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 but he, whose pedigree is not reckoned among them, took tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had 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 Now without all contradiction the inferior is blessed by the superior:
And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8 besides, here men that die receive tithes; but there he of whom it is testified that he liveth.
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 (as one may say) even Levi, who receiveth tithes, paid tithes in Abraham:
And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham.
10 for he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
11 Now if perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law) what farther need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchisedec, and not after 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, there is of necessity a change also of the law.
For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.
13 Now He, of whom these things are said, is of another tribe, of which none ever attended 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 our Lord sprang from Judah, as to which tribe Moses spake nothing about the 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 evident, that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
16 who is made not according to the law of a temporary 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.
For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” (aiōn g165)
18 For there is indeed a disannulling of the preceding command, on account of it's weakness and unprofitableness;
So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless
19 for the law made nothing perfect, but the introducing of a better hope did, by 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 Moreover inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath,
And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,
21 (for they indeed are become priests without the solemnity of an oath; but He with an oath, by Him who said unto Him, "The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:") (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 is Jesus become the surety of a better covenant.
Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 And they were many priests, because they were by death hindered from continuing in their office;
Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
24 but He, because He abideth for ever, hath a priesthood that passeth not to any other: (aiōn g165)
But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. (aiōn g165)
25 wherefore also He is able to save to the uttermost, those that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth 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 such an high-priest was meet for us, who was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and 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 hath no need, as the Levitical high-priests had, daily to offer sacrifices first for his own sins, and then for those of the people: for this He did once for all, in offering 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 appointeth men high-priests, who have infirmity; but the oath, recorded since the law, appointeth the Son to be priest for ever, being fully perfected for it. (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)
