The Epistle to the Hebrews

⭑ Literal Standard Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 7 -

(Genesis 14:17–24)

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham turning back from the striking of the kings, and blessed him,

to whom also Abraham divided a tenth of all (first, indeed, being interpreted, “King of righteousness,” and then also, “King of Salem,” which is, King of Peace),

without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, and having been like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

And see how great this one [is], to whom Abraham the patriarch also gave a tenth out of the best of the spoils,

and those, indeed, out of the sons of Levi receiving the priesthood, have a command to take tithes from the people according to the Law, that is, their brothers, even though they came forth out of the loins of Abraham;

and he who was not reckoned by genealogy of them, received tithes from Abraham, and he has blessed him having the promises,

and apart from all controversy, the less is blessed by the better—

and here, indeed, men who die receive tithes, and there [he] who is testified to that he was living,

and so to speak, through Abraham even Levi who is receiving tithes, has paid tithes,

for he was yet in the loins of the father when Melchizedek met him.

A Superior Priesthood

If indeed, then, perfection were through the Levitical priesthood—for the people under it had received law—what further need, according to the order of Melchizedek, for another priest to arise, and not to be called according to the order of Aaron?

For the priesthood being changed, of necessity also, a change comes of the Law,

for He of whom these things are said in another tribe has had part, of whom no one gave attendance at the altar,

for [it is] evident that out of Judah has arisen our Lord, in regard to which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

And it is yet more abundantly most evident, if according to the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,

who did not come according to the law of a fleshly command, but according to the power of an endless life,

for He testifies, “You [are] a priest—throughout the age, according to the order of Melchizedek”;

for an annulling indeed comes of the command going before because of its weakness, and unprofitableness

(for nothing did the Law perfect), and the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

And inasmuch as [it is] not apart from oath

(for those indeed apart from oath have become priests, and He [became priest] with an oath through Him who is saying to Him, “The LORD swore, and will not regret, You [are] a priest throughout the age, according to the order of Melchizedek”),

by so much also has Jesus become guarantee of a better covenant,

and those indeed are many who have become priests, because by death they are hindered from remaining;

and He, because of His remaining throughout the age, has the inviolable priesthood,

from where also He is able to save to the very end, those coming through Him to God—ever living to make intercession for them.

For also such a Chief Priest was fitting for us—holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from the sinners, and having become higher than the heavens,

who has no daily necessity, as the chief priests, to first offer up sacrifice for His own sins, then for those of the people; for this He did once, having offered up Himself;

for the Law appoints men [as] chief priests, having weakness, but the word of the oath that [is] after the Law [appoints] the Son having been perfected throughout the age.

(Genesis 14:17–24)

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, “king of righteousness”, and then also “king of Salem”, which means “king of peace”,

without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually.

Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the best plunder.

They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham,

but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.

But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.

Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives.

We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,

for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him.

A Superior Priesthood

Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law.

For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.

For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,

who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life;

for it is testified, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”(a)

For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness

(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath

(for they indeed have been made priests without an oath), but he with an oath by him that says of him, “The Lord swore and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’”(b)

By so much, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death.

But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable.

Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.

For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

who doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself.

For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.

Footnotes

(a)7:17 ℘ Psalms 110:4

(b)7:21 ℘ Psalms 110:4