Hebrews 7

CLV^{(i) 1} For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who meets with Abraham returning from the combat with the kings and blesses him, ² to whom Abraham parts a tithe also, from all; being first, indeed, translated king of righteousness,yet thereupon king of Salem, also, which is "king of Peace";" ³ fatherless, motherless, without a genealogy, having neither a beginning of days nor consummation of life, yet picturing the Son of God is remaining a priest to a finality." ⁴ Now, behold how eminent this one is to whom the patriarch Abraham gives a tithe also of the best of the booty." ⁵ And, indeed, those of the sons of Levi who obtain the priestly office have a direction to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, their brethren even those who also have come out of the loins of Abraham." ⁶ Yet he who is not of their genealogy has tithed Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises." ⁷ Now, beyond all contradiction, the inferior is blessed by the better." ⁸ And here, indeed, dying men are obtaining tithes, yet there, one of whom it is attested that he is living." ⁹ And so to say, through Abraham, Levi also, who is obtaining the tithes, has been tithed, ¹⁰ for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek meets with him. ¹¹ If, indeed, then, perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for the people have been placed under law with it), what need is there still for a different priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not said to be according to the order of Aaron? ¹² For, the priesthood being transferred, of necessity there is coming to be a transference of law also, ¹³ for He of Whom these things are said partakes of a different tribe, from which no one has given heed to the altar." ¹⁴ For it is taken for granted that our Lord has risen out of Judah, to which tribe Moses speaks nothing concerning priests, ¹⁵ And it is still more superabundantly sure, if a different priest is rising according to the likeness of Melchizedek, ¹⁶ Who has not come to be according to the law of a fleshy precept, but according to the power of an indissoluble life." ¹⁷ For He is attesting that "Thou art a priest for the eon according to the order of Melchizedek, ¹⁸ For, indeed, there is coming to be a repudiation of the preceding precept because it is weak and without benefit;" ¹⁹ for the law perfects nothing, yet it is the superinduction of a better expectation, through which we are drawing near to God." ²⁰ And, in as much as it was not apart from the swearing of an oath, ²¹ (For these, indeed, are priests, having become so apart from the swearing of an oath, yet that One with the swearing of an oath by Him Who is saying to Him, "The Lord swears and will not be regretting it, 'Thou art a priest for the eon according to the order of Melchizedek.'")" ²² by so much also has Jesus become the sponsor of a better covenant. ²³ And these indeed, are more than one, having become priests because death prevents them from abiding;" ²⁴ yet that One, because of His remaining for the eon, has an inviolate priesthood." ²⁵ Whence, also, He is able to save to the uttermost those coming to God through Him, always being alive to be pleading for their sake." ²⁶ For such a Chief Priest also became us, benign, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and coming to be higher than those of the heavens, ²⁷ Who has no necessity daily, even as the chief priests, to be offering up sacrifices previously for their own sins, thereupon for those of the people, for this He does once for all time, offering up Himself." ²⁸ For the law is appointing men chief priests who have infirmity, yet the word sworn in the oath which is after the law, appoints the Son, perfected, for the eon."