New American Standard Bible NAS
New International Version NIV
11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law ), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of 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 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.
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For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also.
13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated 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 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
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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 is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,
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And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.
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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 For it is attested of Him, "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK."
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For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness
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The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless
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.
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(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
20 And inasmuch as it was not without an oath
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And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath,
21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, "THE LORD HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND, 'YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ' ");
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but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’ ”
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