Hebrews 7
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed 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 Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, “king of righteousness”, and then also “king of Salem”, which means “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, but made like the Son of God), remains 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 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the best plunder.
See how great this man was to whom the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the things that he had taken in battle.
5 They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body 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 but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.
But Melchizedek, whose descent was not traced from them, received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him, the one who had the promises.
7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.
There is no denying that the lesser person is blessed by the greater person.
8 Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives.
In this case, mortal men receive tithes, but in that case it is testified that he lives on.
9 We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,
And, in a manner of speaking, Levi, who received tithes, also paid tithes through Abraham,
10 for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him.
because Levi was in the body of his ancestor when Melchizedek met Abraham.
11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after 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, there is of necessity a change made also in the law.
For when the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed.
13 For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated 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 our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
Now clearly, it is from Judah that our Lord was born, a tribe that Moses never mentioned concerning priests.
15 This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,
What we say is clearer yet if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek.
16 who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after 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 it is testified, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” (aiōn g165)
For scripture witnesses about him: “You are a priest forever after the manner of Melchizedek.” (aiōn g165)
18 For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness
For the former regulation is set aside because it is weak and useless,
19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a 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, through which we come near to God.
20 Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath
And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath,
21 (for they indeed have been made priests without an oath), but he with an oath by him that says of him, “The Lord swore and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’” (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, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
By this also Jesus has given the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death.
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 Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever 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 high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made 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 doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, 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.
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 appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son forever who has 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)
