Heb 7 | NASB1995 | STEP | For this Melchizedek , king of Salem , priest of the Most High God , who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

Hebrews 7

Melchizedek’s Priesthood Like Christ’s

1 For this ^aMelchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the ^bMost 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, ^cwithout genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like ^dthe Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the ^epatriarch, ^fgave a tenth of the choicest spoils. 5 And those indeed of ^gthe sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment ^{▼▼ Lit according to}in the Law to collect ^{▼▼ Or tithes}a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these ^{▼▼ Lit have come out of the loins of}are descended from Abraham. 6 But the one ^kwhose genealogy is not traced from them ^lcollected ^{▼▼ Or tithes}a tenth from Abraham and ^{▼▼ Lit has blessed
,} ^oblessed the one who ^phad 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, ^qof 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 ^rNow if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it ^sthe people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise ^taccording 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 ^uthe one concerning whom ^vthese things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord ^{▼▼ Lit has arisen from}was ^xdescended 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 ^{▼▼ Lit fleshly commandment; i.e. to be a descendant of Levi
,} ^zphysical requirement, but according to the power of ^aaan indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him, ^ab“You 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 ^acbecause of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for ^adthe Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better ^aehope, through which we ^afdraw 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, ^ag“The Lord has sworn
And ^ah will not change His mind,
‘You are a priest ^ai forever’”);

22 so much the more also Jesus has become the ^ajguarantee of ^aka better covenant.

23 ^{▼▼ Lit The greater number have become priests...}The 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 ^amforever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is able also to ^ansave ^{▼▼ Or completely}forever those who ^apdraw near to God through Him, since He always lives to ^aqmake intercession for them.

26 For it was fitting for us to have such a ^arhigh priest, ^asholy, ^atinnocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and ^auexalted above the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to ^avoffer up sacrifices, ^awfirst for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did ^axonce for all when He ^ayoffered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests ^azwho are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints ^baa Son, ^bbmade perfect forever.