the First Week of Advent
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!
Read the Bible
Legacy Standard Bible
Hebrews 7
The Priesthoods of Melchizedek and Christ
1 For this (C1)MELCHIZEDEK, KING OF SALEM, PRIEST OF THE (C2)MOST HIGH GOD, who met ABRAHAM AS HE WAS RETURNING FROM THE SLAUGHTER OF THE KINGS and BLESSED HIM,2 (C1)TO WHOM ALSO ABRAHAM APPORTIONED A TENTH PART OF ALL, 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, (C1)without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like (C2)the Son of God, he remains a priest continually.
4 Now observe how great this man was TO WHOM ABRAHAM, the (C1)patriarch, (C2)GAVE A TENTH of the spoils.5 And those indeed of (C1)the sons of Levi, who receive the priest's office, have a commandment (F1)in the Law to collect (F2)a tenth from the people, that is, from their brothers, although these (F3)are descended from Abraham.6 But the one (C1)whose genealogy is not traced from them had (C2)collected (F1)a tenth from Abraham and (F2)(C2)blessed the one who (C3)had the promises.7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.8 And in this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, (C1)of 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 (C1)Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it (C2)the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise (C3)according 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 (C1)the one concerning whom (C2)these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.14 For it is evident that our Lord (F1)was (C1)descended 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 according to a law of (F1)(C1)physical requirement, but according to the power of (C2)an indestructible life.17 For it is witnessed about Him,
"(C1)YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER
ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK."
"(C1)THE (F1)LORD HAS SWORN
AND (C2)WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND,
'YOU ARE A PRIEST (C3)FOREVER'");
23 And (F1)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 (C1)forever, holds His priesthood permanently.25 Therefore He is able also to (C1)save (F1)forever those who (C2)draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to (C3)make intercession for them.
26 For it was fitting for us to have such a (C1)high priest, (C2)holy, (C3)innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and (C4)exalted above the heavens;27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to (C1)offer up sacrifices, (C2)first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did (C3)once for all when He (C4)offered up Himself.28 For the Law appoints men as high priests (C1)who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints (C2)a Son, who has been (C3)made perfect forever.
