Chapter 7 (CV)
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. |
Chapter 7 (KJV)
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the
most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first
being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which
is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having
neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a
priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the
patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who
receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people
according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of
Abraham:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received
tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of
the better.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he
receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes,
payed tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when
Melchisedec met him.
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical
priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that
another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the
order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of
necessity a change also of the law.
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to
another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of
which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the
similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal
commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after
the order of Melchisedec.
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment
going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in
of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made
priest:
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this
with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a
priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better
testament.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were
not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an
unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the
uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy,
harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer
up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once,
when he offered up himself.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have
infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is
consecrated for evermore. |