Heb 7 | NASB2020 | 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 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 a commandment ^{▼▼Lit according to}in the Law to collect ^{▼▼Or tithes}a tenth from the people, that is, from their countrymen, although they ^{▼▼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 person 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, has paid tithes, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ^{▼▼Lit father}forefather when Melchizedek met him.

11 ^sSo if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it ^tthe people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise ^uaccording 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 ^vthe one about whom ^wthese things are said 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 ^ydescended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses said nothing concerning priests. 15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest not on the basis of a law of ^{▼▼Lit fleshly commandment; i.e., to be a descendant of Levi
,} ^aaphysical requirement, but according to the power of ^aban indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him,

“ ^acYou are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For, on the one hand, there is the nullification of a former commandment ^adbecause of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for ^aethe Law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, there is the introduction of a better ^afhope, through which we ^agcome near to God. 20 And to the extent that 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,

“ ^ahThe Lord has sworn
And ^aiwill not change His mind,
‘You are a priest ^ajforever’”);
22 by the same extent Jesus also has become the ^{▼▼Or guarantor
,} ^alguarantee of ^ama 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 ^{▼▼Lit He}Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues ^apforever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is also able to ^aqsave ^{▼▼Or completely}forever those who ^ascome to God through Him, since He always lives to ^atmake intercession for them.

26 For it was fitting for us to have such a ^auhigh priest, ^avholy, ^awinnocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and ^axexalted above the heavens; 27 who has no daily need, like those high priests, to ^ayoffer up sacrifices, ^azfirst for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because He did this ^baonce for all time when He ^bboffered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests ^bcwho are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints ^bda Son, who has been ^bemade perfect forever.