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, 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 gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that 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 descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth 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], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth 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 verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come 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 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had 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 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
There is no denying that the lesser person is blessed by the greater person.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he [receiveth them], of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
In this case, mortal men receive tithes, but in that case it is testified that he lives on.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
And, in a manner of speaking, Levi, who received tithes, also paid tithes through Abraham,
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
because Levi was in the body of his ancestor when Melchizedek met Abraham.
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law, ) what further need [was there] that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, 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 made of necessity a change also of the law.
For when the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed.
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man 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 our Lord sprang out of Juda; of 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 far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
What we say is clearer yet if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek.
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal 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.
For scripture witnesses about him: “You are a priest forever after the manner of Melchizedek.” (aiōn g165)
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
For the former regulation is set aside because it is weak and useless,
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, through which we come near to God.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath [he was made priest]:
And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath,
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec: ) (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 was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
By this also Jesus has given the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of 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 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth 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 an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate 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 needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, 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 maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. (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)
