7:1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, the one having met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and having blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham divided a tenth from all, first being interpreted “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, which is “king of peace,” 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, neither beginning of days nor having an end of life, but having been made like the son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.
4 Now consider how great he was, to whom even[1] the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth out of the spoils. 5 And indeed those of the sons of Levi receiving the priesthood have a command according to the law to collect a tenth of the people, that is, theirs brothers, although they also came[2] out of the loins of Abraham. 6 But the one not tracing his genealogy out of them received a tenth from Abraham, and the one having the promises he blessed. 7 Now beyond all contradiction, the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 And here, in one case, dying men receive a tenth; but there, in the other case, it is witnessed of him that he lives. 9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, the one receiving tithes, has been made to pay tithes, 10 for he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
11 Therefore, if in fact perfection was through the Levitical priesthood—for based on it[3] the people had received the law[4]—what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, out of necessity also a change of the law occurs. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at[5] the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord rose from out of Judah, in reference to which tribe Moses said nothing concerning the priesthood.[6] 15 And it is even more abundantly evident if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not according to a commandment of law about a fleshly lineage,[7] but according to the power of an indestructible[8] life. 17 For He testifies[9] that
“You are a priest to the age, according to the order of Melchizedek.”[10]
18 For there is indeed an annulment of the former commandment because it was weak and unprofitable. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but introduced a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20 And inasmuch as not without taking an oath, 21 for indeed those are becoming priests without the swearing of an oath, but He with the swearing of an oath, by means of the One saying to Him,
“The Lord swore an oath and He will not regret it,[11] ‘You are a priest to the age according to the order of Melchizedek.’[12]”[13]
22 By so much more Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 And those having been made priests are many, because they were prevented by death from continuing as priests. 24 But He, because He continues to live forever, has a permanent priesthood. 25 Consequently, He is also able to save completely those coming to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
26 For it was fitting[14] for us to have such a High Priest: pious,[15] without evil, undefiled, having been separate from sinners, and being made higher than the heavens; 27 Who has no daily need, as those high priests, to offer up a sacrifice first for their own sins, then for those of the people. For He did this once for all, offering Himself up. 28 For the law appoints men having weakness; but the word of the oath, that came after the law, appointed a Son, having been made perfect forever.
[1] Verse 4 – Byz, M, Tisch & TR read καὶ, even. WH omits καὶ, while NU editors bracket the conjunction (i.e., [καὶ]) to indicate that in their estimation it is doubtful.
[2] Verse 5 – Literally, having come.
[3] Verse 11 – Byz, M & TR read αὐτῇ (dative case pronoun), it. Tisch, WH, NU, following more than a dozen Grk MSS, read αὐτῆς (genitive case pronoun), it.
[4] Verse 11 – Byz, M & TR read νενομοθέτητο (pluperfect passive), had received law. Tisch, WH, NU, following more than a dozen Grk MSS, read νενομοθέτηται (perfect passive), have received law.
[5] Verse 13 – Or, given attention to.
[6] Verse 14 – Byz, M & TR read ἱερωσύνης, priesthood. Tisch, WH & NU, following about a dozen Grk MSS, read ἱερέων, priests.
[7] Verse 16 – Byz, M & TR read σαρκικῆς, fleshly (nature). Tisch, WH & NU read σαρκίνης, fleshly (made of flesh).
[8] Verse 16 – Or, endless.
[9] Verse 17 – Byz, M & TR read μαρτυρεῖ, He testifies (present active). Tisch, WH & NU read μαρτυρεῖται, it is testified (present passive).
[10] Verse 17 – Psalm 110:4.
[11] Or, He will not change His mind.
[12] Verse 21 – Byz, M & TR read κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ, according to the order of Melchizedek. Tisch, WH & NU, following a half dozen or so Grk MSS, omit κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ.
[13] Verse 21 – Psalm 110:4.
[14] Verse 26 – Byz, M & TR read ἔπρεπεν, it was fitting. Tisch, NU, following about half a dozen Grk MSS, add the conjunction καὶ (also, or perhaps indeed) before ἔπρεπεν. WH brackets the conjunction (i.e., [καὶ]) to indicate its doubtfulness.
[15] Verse 26 – Or holy.