Hebrews 7

The Priestly Order of Melchizedek

1For this ^aMelchizedek, king of ^bSalem, priest of ^cthe Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2and 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. 3He is without father or mother ^dor genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.

4See how great this man was to whom Abraham ^ethe patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5And ^fthose descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, ▼

▼Or  brothers and sisters

though these also are descended from Abraham. 6But this man ^hwho does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed ⁱhim who had the promises. 7It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one ^jof whom it is testified that ^khe lives. 9One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

Jesus Compared to Melchizedek

11 ^lNow if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical 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 Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord was descended ^mfrom Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

15This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17For it is witnessed of him,

ⁿ“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”
18For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside ^obecause of its weakness and uselessness 19(for ^pthe law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, ^qa better hope is introduced, through which ^rwe draw near to God.

20And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:

^s“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever.’”
22This makes Jesus the guarantor of ^ta better covenant.

23The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues ^uforever. 25Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost ▼

▼That is, completely; or at all times

^wthose who draw near to God ^xthrough him, since he always lives ^yto make intercession for them.

26For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, ^zholy, innocent, unstained, ^aaseparated from sinners, and ^abexalted above the heavens. 27He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, ^acfirst for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this ^adonce for all when he offered up himself. 28For the law appoints men ^aein their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made ^afperfect forever.