Revised Standard Version RSV
The Latin Vulgate VUL
1 For this Melchiz'edek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him;
1
hic enim Melchisedech rex Salem sacerdos Dei summi qui obviavit Abrahae regresso a caede regum et benedixit ei
2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.
2
cui decimas omnium divisit Abraham primum quidem qui interpretatur rex iustitiae deinde autem et rex Salem quod est rex pacis
3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, and has neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest for ever.
3
sine patre sine matre sine genealogia neque initium dierum neque finem vitae habens adsimilatus autem Filio Dei manet sacerdos in perpetuum
4 See how great he is! Abraham the patriarch gave him a tithe of the spoils.
4
intuemini autem quantus sit hic cui et decimam dedit de praecipuis Abraham patriarcha
5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brethren, though these also are descended from Abraham.
5
et quidem de filiis Levi sacerdotium accipientes mandatum habent decimas sumere a populo secundum legem id est a fratribus suis quamquam et ipsi exierunt de lumbis Abrahae
6 But this man who has not their genealogy received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
6
cuius autem generatio non adnumeratur in eis decimas sumpsit Abraham et hunc qui habebat repromissiones benedixit
7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.
7
sine ulla autem contradictione quod minus est a meliore benedicitur
8 Here tithes are received by mortal men; there, by one of whom it is testified that he lives.
8
et hic quidem decimas morientes homines accipiunt ibi autem contestatus quia vivit
9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham,
9
et ut ita dictum sit per Abraham et Levi qui decimas accipit decimatus est
10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchiz'edek met him.
10
adhuc enim in lumbis patris erat quando obviavit ei Melchisedech
11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levit'ical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchiz'edek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?
11
si ergo consummatio per sacerdotium leviticum erat populus enim sub ipso legem accepit quid adhuc necessarium secundum ordinem Melchisedech alium surgere sacerdotem et non secundum ordinem Aaron dici
12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.
12
translato enim sacerdotio necesse est ut et legis translatio fiat
13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
13
in quo enim haec dicuntur de alia tribu est de qua nullus altario praesto fuit
14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
14
manifestum enim quod ex Iuda ortus sit Dominus noster in qua tribu nihil de sacerdotibus Moses locutus est
15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchiz'edek,
15
et amplius adhuc manifestum est si secundum similitudinem Melchisedech exsurgit alius sacerdos
16 who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life.
16
qui non secundum legem mandati carnalis factus est sed secundum virtutem vitae insolubilis
17 For it is witnessed of him, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchiz'edek."
17
contestatur enim quoniam tu es sacerdos in aeternum secundum ordinem Melchisedech
18 On the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness
18
reprobatio quidem fit praecedentis mandati propter infirmitatem eius et inutilitatem
19 (for the law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
19
nihil enim ad perfectum adduxit lex introductio vero melioris spei per quam proximamus ad Deum
20 And it was not without an oath.
20
et quantum est non sine iureiurando alii quidem sine iureiurando sacerdotes facti sunt
21 Those who formerly became priests took their office without an oath, but this one was addressed with an oath, "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'Thou art a priest for ever.'"
21
hic autem cum iureiurando per eum qui dixit ad illum iuravit Dominus et non paenitebit tu es sacerdos in aeternum
22 This makes Jesus the surety of a better covenant.
22
in tantum melioris testamenti sponsor factus est Iesus
23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office;
23
et alii quidem plures facti sunt sacerdotes idcirco quod morte prohiberentur permanere
24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever.
24
hic autem eo quod maneat in aeternum sempiternum habet sacerdotium
25 Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
25
unde et salvare in perpetuo potest accedentes per semet ipsum ad Deum semper vivens ad interpellandum pro eis
26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens.
26
talis enim decebat ut nobis esset pontifex sanctus innocens inpollutus segregatus a peccatoribus et excelsior caelis factus
27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
27
qui non habet cotidie necessitatem quemadmodum sacerdotes prius pro suis delictis hostias offerre deinde pro populi hoc enim fecit semel se offerendo
28 Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever.
28
lex enim homines constituit sacerdotes infirmitatem habentes sermo autem iurisiurandi qui post legem est Filium in aeternum perfectum
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.