Hebrews 7
1 For this Melchisedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who did meet Abraham turning back from the smiting of the kings, and did bless him,
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.
2 to whom also a tenth of all did Abraham divide, (first, indeed, being interpreted, 'King of righteousness,' and then also, King of Salem, which is, King of Peace, )
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.”
3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, and being made like to the Son of God, doth remain a priest continually.
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.
4 And see how great this one [is], to whom also a tenth Abraham the patriarch did give out of the best of the spoils,
See how great this man was to whom the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the things that he had taken in battle.
5 and those, indeed, out of the sons of Levi receiving the priesthood, a command have to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, their brethren, even though they came forth out of the loins of Abraham;
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.
6 and he who was not reckoned by genealogy of them, received tithes from Abraham, and him having the promises he hath blessed,
But Melchizedek, whose descent was not traced from them, received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him, the one who had the promises.
7 and apart from all controversy, the less by the better is blessed —
There is no denying that the lesser person is blessed by the greater person.
8 and here, indeed, men who die do receive tithes, and there [he], who is testified to that he was living,
In this case, mortal men receive tithes, but in that case it is testified that he lives on.
9 and so to speak, through Abraham even Levi who is receiving tithes, hath paid tithes,
And, in a manner of speaking, Levi, who received tithes, also paid tithes through Abraham,
10 for he was yet in the loins of the father when Melchisedek met him.
because Levi was in the body of his ancestor when Melchizedek met Abraham.
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 Melchisedek, for another priest to arise, and not to be called according to the order of Aaron?
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?
12 for the priesthood being changed, of necessity also, of the law a change doth come,
For when the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed.
13 for he of whom these things are said in another tribe hath had part, of whom no one gave attendance at the altar,
For the one about whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
14 for [it is] evident that out of Judah hath arisen our Lord, in regard to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Now clearly, it is from Judah that our Lord was born, a tribe that Moses never mentioned concerning priests.
15 And it is yet more abundantly most evident, if according to the similitude of Melchisedek there doth arise another priest,
What we say is clearer yet if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek.
16 who came not according to the law of a fleshly command, but according to the power of an endless life,
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.
17 for He doth testify — 'Thou [art] a priest — to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;' (aiōn g165)
For scripture witnesses about him: “You are a priest forever after the manner of Melchizedek.” (aiōn g165)
18 for a disannulling indeed doth come of the command going before because of its weakness, and unprofitableness,
For the former regulation is set aside because it is weak and useless,
19 (for nothing did the law perfect) and the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw nigh to God.
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, through which we come near to God.
20 And inasmuch as [it is] not apart from oath, (for those indeed apart from oath are become priests,
And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath,
21 and he with an oath through Him who is saying unto him, 'The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest — to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;') (aiōn g165)
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)
22 by so much of a better covenant hath Jesus become surety,
By this also Jesus has given the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 and those indeed are many who have become priests, because by death they are hindered from remaining;
The former priests were many in number, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
But because Jesus continues to live forever, he has a permanent priesthood. (aiōn g165)
25 whence also he is able to save to the very end, those coming through him unto God — ever living to make intercession for them.
Therefore he is also able to save completely those who approach God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
26 For such a chief priest did become us — kind, harmless, undefiled, separate from the sinners, and become higher than the heavens,
For such a high priest is suitable for us. He is sinless, blameless, pure, separated from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.
27 who hath no necessity daily, as the chief priests, first for his own sins to offer up sacrifice, then for those of the people; for this he did once, having offered up himself;
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.
28 for the law doth appoint men chief priests, having infirmity, but the word of the oath that [is] after the law [appointeth] the Son — to the age having been perfected. (aiōn g165)
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)
