1 The Priesthoods of Melchizedek and Christ For this Melchizedek,king ofSalem,priest of theMostHighGod, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kingsandblessed him,
2 to whom alsoAbraham apportioned a tenth part of all, was first of all, by the translationof his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which 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, he remains a priest continually.
4 Now observe how great this man wasto whomAbraham, the patriarch,gave a tenthof the spoils.
5 And those indeed of the sons of Levi, who receive the priest’s office, have a commandment 7:5 Lit according to in the Law to collect 7:5 Or tithes a tenth from the people, that is, from their brothers, although these 7:5 Lit have come out of the loins of are descended from Abraham.
6 But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them had collected 7:6Or tithes a tenth from Abraham and 7:6Lit has blessed blessed the one who had the promises.
7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8 And in this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case onereceives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on.
9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes,
10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further needwas therefor another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?
12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.
13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord 7:14 Lit has arisen from was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,
16 who has becomesuchnot according to a law of 7:16To be a descendant of Levi; lit fleshly commandment physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.
17 For it is witnessedabout Him,“You are a priest foreverAccording to the order ofMelchizedek.”
18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness
19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
20 And inasmuch asit wasnot without an oath
21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,“The 7:21 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Ps 110:4 Lord has swornAnd will not changeHis mind,‘You are a priest forever’ ”);
22 so much more Jesus also has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 And 7:23 Lit the greater number have become priests... theformerpriests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,
24 butJesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.
25 Therefore He is able also to save 7:25 Or completely forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;
27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for thesinsof the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law,appointsa Son, who has been made perfect forever.