1 F or this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

2 t o whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.

to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace;

3 W ithout father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually.

4 N ow observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.

Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the best plunder.

5 A nd those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham.

They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham,

6 B ut the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.

but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.

7 B ut without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.

But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.

8 I n this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on.

Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives.

9 A nd, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes,

We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,

10 f or he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him.

11 N ow if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?

Now if there were perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

12 F or when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.

For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law.

13 F or the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.

For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.

14 F or it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.

For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

15 A nd this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,

This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,

16 w ho has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.

who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life:

17 F or it is attested of Him, “ You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”

for it is testified, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

18 F or, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness

For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness

19 ( for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

20 A nd inasmuch as it was not without an oath

Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath

21 ( for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, “ The Lord has sworn And will not change His mind, ‘ You are a priest forever ’”);

(for they indeed have been made priests without an oath), but he with an oath by him that says of him, “The Lord swore and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’”

22 s o much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

By so much, Jesus has become the collateral of a better covenant.

23 T he former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,

Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death.

24 b ut Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.

But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable.

25 T herefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.

26 F or it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

27 w ho does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

who doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself.

28 F or the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.