Hebrews 7 (New American Standard)

Melchizedek's Priesthood Like Christ's

1 For this ¹Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the ²Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, ³without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like ⁴the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually . 4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the ⁵patriarch, ⁶gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. 5 And those indeed of ⁷the sons of Levi who receive the priest's office have commandment ^ain the Law to collect ^ba tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these ^care descended from Abraham. 6 But the one ⁸whose genealogy is not traced from them ⁹collected ^da tenth from Abraham and ^e10blessed the one who ¹¹had the promises. 7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, ¹²of 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 ¹³Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it ¹⁴the people received the Law ), what further need was there for another priest to arise ¹⁵according 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 ¹⁶the one concerning whom ¹⁷these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord ^fwas ¹⁸descended 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 become such not on the basis of a law of ^g19physical requirement, but according to the power of ²⁰an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him, "²¹YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK." 18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment ²²because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for ²³the Law made nothing perfect ), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better ²⁴hope, through which we ²⁵draw near to God. 20 And inasmuch as it was not without an oath 21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, "²⁶THE LORD HAS SWORN AND ²⁷WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND, 'YOU ARE A PRIEST ²⁸FOREVER ' "); 22 so much the more also Jesus has become the ²⁹guarantee of ³⁰a better covenant. 23 ^hThe former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues ³¹forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is able also to ³²save ⁱforever those who ³³draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to ³⁴make intercession for them. 26 For it was fitting for us to have such a ³⁵high priest, ³⁶holy, ³⁷innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and ³⁸exalted above the heavens ; 27 who does not need daily , like those high priests, to ³⁹offer up sacrifices, ⁴⁰first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did ⁴¹once for all when He ⁴²offered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests ⁴³who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints ⁴⁴a Son, ⁴⁵made perfect forever.