Hebrews 7

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

to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth from all things, first indeed translated as “king of righteousness,” and then also “king of Salem,” that is, “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, he remains a priest perpetually. \*

But notice how great this one {was}, to whom the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth from the best plunder.

And the ones indeed from the sons of Levi having received the priesthood, have a command according to the law to collect a tithe from the people, that is, {from} their brothers, even though they have come from the loin of Abraham.

But this one not being from their genealogy, has collected tithes from Abraham, and has blessed the one having the promises. \*

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

And indeed here mortal men receive tithes, but there he is testified about that he lives on.

And, so to speak, Levi, the one collecting tithes, also had paid a tithe through Abraham,

because he was still in the loin of his father when Melchizedek met him. \*

If indeed then, perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people had been given {the law}), what further need {was there} for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek and to not be said {to be} according to the order of Aaron?

For {when} the priesthood is changed, from necessity a change of the law also takes place. \*

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

For {it is} obvious that our Lord has sprung up from Judah, a tribe in regard to which Moses said nothing concerning priests. \*

And this is still even more obvious if another priest emerges according to the likeness of Melchizedek,

who has become {a priest} not according to a law of a fleshly command, but according to the power of an indestructible life.

For it is being testified: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” \*

For on the one hand, there is an annulment of the former commandment because it {is} weak and useless

(for the law perfected nothing), and on the other hand {is} the introduction of a better hope, through which we come near to God. \*

And by as much as not without swearing an oath,—for indeed they without swearing an oath are become priests,

but he with an oath-taking, through the one saying to him, “The Lord swore and will not change his mind: ‘You {are} a priest forever’”— \*

and according to so much more, Jesus has become a guarantor of a better covenant.

And the ones, on the one hand, having become priests are many, since by death they are prevented {from} continuing,

but he, on the other hand, since he remains forever, has the permanent priesthood, \*

because of which he is also able to save completely the ones approaching God through him, always living to intercede on behalf of them.

For such a high priest was indeed suitable for us: holy, innocent, pure, separated from the sinners, and having become higher than the heavens; \*

who does not have each day a need, even as the high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first on behalf of his own sins {and} then {on behalf of} those of the people, for he did this, having offered himself once and never again.

For the law appoints {as} high priests men having weakness, but the word of the swearing of an oath, which {came} after the law, {appoints} a Son, having been made perfect forever. \*