New Century Version NCV
New International Version NIV
7 Now everyone knows that the more important person blesses the less important person.
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And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8 Priests receive a tenth, even though they are only men who live and then die. But Melchizedek, who received a tenth from Abraham, continues living, as the Scripture says.
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In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.
9 We might even say that Levi, who receives a tenth, also paid it when Abraham paid Melchizedek a tenth.
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One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham,
10 Levi was not yet born, but he was in the body of his ancestor when Melchizedek met Abraham.
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because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
11 The people were given the lawn based on a system of priests from the tribe of Levi, but they could not be made perfect through that system. So there was a need for another priest to come, a priest like Melchizedek, not Aaron.
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If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?
12 And when a different kind of priest comes, the law must be changed, too.
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For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also.
13 We are saying these things about Christ, who belonged to a different tribe. No one from that tribe ever served as a priest at the altar.
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He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.
14 It is clear that our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses said nothing about priests belonging to that tribe.
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For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
15 And this becomes even more clear when we see that another priest comes who is like Melchizedek.
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And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
16 He was not made a priest by human rules and laws but through the power of his life, which continues forever.
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one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.
17 It is said about him, "You are a priest forever, a priest like Melchizedek."
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For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.