Hebrews 7

1For this Melchisedech was king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him:

1For this Melchizedek, the king of Salem, a priest of the Most High God, who gave Abraham his blessing, meeting him when he came back after putting the kings to death,

2To whom also Abraham divided the tithes of all: who first indeed by interpretation is king of justice: and then also king of Salem, that is, king of peace:

2And to whom Abraham gave a tenth part of everything which he had, being first named King of righteousness, and then in addition, King of Salem, that is to say, King of peace;

3Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but likened unto the Son of God, continueth a priest for ever.

3Being without father or mother, or family, having no birth or end to his life, being made like the Son of God, is a priest for ever.

4Now consider how great this man is, to whom also Abraham the patriarch gave tithes out of the principal things.

4Now see how great this man was, to whom our father Abraham gave a tenth part of what he had got in the fight.

5And indeed they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is to say, of their brethren: though they themselves also came out of the loins of Abraham.

5And it is true that by the law, those of the sons of Levi who have the position of priests may take a tenth part of the people's goods; that is to say, they take it from their brothers though these are the sons of Abraham.

6But he, whose pedigree is not numbered among them, received tithes of Abraham and blessed him that had the promises.

6But this man, who was not of their family, took the tenth from Abraham, and gave a blessing to him to whom God had given his undertaking.

7And without all contradiction, that which is less is blessed by the better.

7But there is no doubt that the less gets his blessing from the greater.

8And here indeed, men that die receive tithes: but there, he hath witness that he liveth.

8Now at the present time, men over whom death has power take the tenth; but then it was taken by one of whom it is witnessed that he is living.

9And (as it may be said) even Levi who received tithes paid tithes in Abraham:

9And we may say that in Abraham, even Levi, who has a right to take the tenth part, gave it;

10For he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedech met him.

10Because he was still in his father's body when Melchizedek came to him.

11If then perfection was by the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchisedech: and not be called according to the order of Aaron?

11Now if it was possible for things to be made complete through the priests of the house of Levi (for the law was given to the people in connection with them), what need was there for another priest who was of the order of Melchizedek and not of the order of Aaron?

12For the priesthood being translated, it is necessary that a translation also be made of the law,

12Because if the priests are changed, it is necessary to make a change in the law.

13For he of whom these things are spoken is of another tribe, of which no one attended on the altar.

13For he of whom these things are said comes of another tribe, of which no man has ever made offerings at the altar.

14For it is evident that our Lord sprung out of Juda: in which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.

14Because it is clear that our Lord comes out of Judah, and Moses said nothing about priests from that tribe.

15And it is yet far more evident: if according to the similitude of Melchisedech there ariseth another priest,

15And this is even more clear if a second priest has come up who is like Melchizedek,

16Who is made, not according to the law of a law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an indissoluble life.

16That is to say, not made by a law based on the flesh, but by the power of a life without end:

17For he testifieth: Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.

17For it has been witnessed of him, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

18There is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment, because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof:

18So the law which went before is put on one side, because it was feeble and without profit.

19For the law brought nothing to perfection: but a bringing in of a better hope, by which we draw nigh to God.

19(Because the law made nothing complete), and in its place there is a better hope, through which we come near to God.

20And inasmuch as it is not without an oath (for the others indeed were made priests without an oath:

20And as this is not without the taking of an oath

21But this with an oath, by him that said unto him: The Lord hath sworn and he will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever).

21(For those were made priests without an oath, but this one was made a priest with an oath by him who says of him, The Lord gave his oath, which he will not take back, that you are a priest for ever);

22By so much is Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

22By so much is it a better agreement which we have through Jesus.

23And the others indeed were made many priests, because by reason of death they were not suffered to continue:

23And it is true that there have been a great number of those priests, because death does not let them go on for ever;

24But this, for that he continueth for ever, hath an everlasting priesthood:

24But this priest, because his life goes on for ever, is unchanging.

25Whereby he is able also to save for ever them that come to God by him; always living to make intercession for us.

25So that he is fully able to be the saviour of all who come to God through him, because he is ever living to make prayer to God for them.

26For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens:

26It was right for us to have such a high priest, one who is holy and without evil, doing no wrong, having no part with sinners, and made higher than the heavens:

27Who needeth not daily (as the other priests) to offer sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, in offering himself.

27Who has no need to make offerings for sins every day, like those high priests, first for himself, and then for the people; because he did this once and for ever when he made an offering of himself.

28For the law maketh men priests, who have infirmity: but the word of the oath (which was since the law) the Son who is perfected for evermore.

28The law makes high priests of men who are feeble; but the word of the oath, which was made after the law, gives that position to a Son, in whom all good is for ever complete.