The Greatness Of Melchizedek
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;
1 For this (A)Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the (B)Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
1 For this Melchizedek—King of Salem, priest of the Most High God,who met Abraham and blessed himas he returned from defeating the kings,
1 Now this man Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, met Abraham and blessed him when he was returning from defeating the kings.
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he returned 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;
2 to 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.
2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything;first, his name means king of righteousness,then also, king of Salem,meaning king of peace;
2 Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. In the first place, his name means "king of righteousness," and then he is also king of Salem, that is, "king of peace."
2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of all [the spoil]. He is, first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, which means 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.
3 Without father, without mother, (C)without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like (D)the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.
3 without father, mother, or genealogy,having neither beginning of days nor end of life,but resembling the Son of God(A)—remains a priest forever.
3 He has no father, mother, or genealogy, no birth date recorded for him, nor a date of death. Like the Son of God, he continues to be a priest forever.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the (E)patriarch, (F)gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.
4 Now consider how great this man was—even Abraham the patriarch(B) gave a tenth of the plunder to him!
4 Just look at how great this man was! Even Abraham the patriarch himself gave him a tenth of what he had captured!
4 Now pause and consider how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a 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:
5 And those indeed of (G)the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment (a)in the Law to collect (b)a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these (c)are descended from Abraham.
5 The sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command according to the law to collect a tenth from the people(C)—that is, from their brothers—though they have also descended from Abraham.(a)
5 The descendants of Levi who accept the priesthood have a commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their own brothers, even though they are also descendants of Abraham.
5 It is true that those descendants of Levi who are charged with the priestly office are commanded in the Law to collect tithes from the people—which means, from their kinsmen—though these have descended from Abraham.
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
6 But the one (H)whose genealogy is not traced from them (I)collected (d)a tenth from Abraham and (e)(J)blessed the one who (K)had the promises.
6 But one without this(b) lineage collected tenths from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.(D)
6 But this man, whose descent is not traced from them, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the man who had received the promises.
6 But this person [Melchizedek] who is not from their Levitical ancestry received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who possessed the promises [of God].
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.
7 It is beyond dispute that the less important person is blessed by the more important person.
7 Yet it is beyond all dispute that the lesser person is always blessed by the greater one.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
8 In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, (L)of whom it is witnessed that he lives on.
8 In the one case, men who will die receive tenths, but in the other case, Scripture testifies that he lives.(E)
8 Mortal men collect tithes, but we are informed by Scripture that Melchizedek keeps on living.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes,
9 And in a sense Levi himself, who receives tenths, has paid tenths through Abraham,
9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham,
9 A person might even say that Levi [the father of the priestly tribe] himself, who received tithes, paid tithes through Abraham [the father of all Israel and of all who believe],
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
10 because Levi was still inside his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
10 for Levi was still in the loins (unborn) of his forefather [Abraham] when Melchizedek met him (Abraham).
The Superiority Of Jesus To Melchizedek
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?
11 (M)Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it (N)the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise (O)according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?
11 If then, perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law(F)), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?(G)
11 Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood for on this basis the people received the Law what further need would there be to speak of appointing another kind of priest according to the order of Melchizedek, not one according to the order of Aaron?
11 Now if perfection [a perfect fellowship between God and the worshiper] had been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people were given the Law) what further need was there for another and different kind of priest to arise, one in the manner of Melchizedek, rather than one appointed to the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.
12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well.
12 When a change in the priesthood takes place, there must also be a change in the Law.
12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is of necessity a change of the law [concerning the priesthood] as well.
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
13 For (P)the one concerning whom (Q)these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
13 For the One these things are spoken about belonged to a different tribe. No one from it has served at the altar.
13 For the person we are talking about belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.
13 For the One of whom these things are said belonged [not to the priestly line of Levi but] to another tribe, from which no one has officiated or served at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
14 For it is evident that our Lord (f)was (R)descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
14 Now it is evident that our Lord came from Judah,(H) and Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests.
14 Furthermore, it is obvious that our Lord was a descendant of Judah, and Moses said nothing about priests coming from that tribe.
14 For it is evident that our Lord descended from [the tribe of] Judah, and Moses mentioned nothing about priests in connection with that tribe.
Another Priest, Like Melchizedek
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,
15 And this becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
15 This point is even more obvious in that another priest who is like Melchizedek has appeared
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of (g)(S)physical requirement, but according to the power of (T)an indestructible life.
16 who did not become a priest based on a legal command concerning physical(e) descent but based on the power of an indestructible life.
16 who was appointed to be a priest, not on the basis of a genealogical registry, but rather on the power of an indestructible life.
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment (V)because of its weakness and uselessness
18 Indeed, because it was weak and ineffective, the former commandment has been annulled,
18 For, on the one hand, a former commandment is cancelled because of its weakness and uselessness [because of its inability to justify the sinner before God]
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
19 (for (W)the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better (X)hope, through which we (Y)draw near to God.
19 (for the law perfected(K) nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.(L)
19 since the Law made nothing perfect, and a better hope is presented, by which we approach God.
19 (for the Law never made anything perfect); while on the other hand a better hope is introduced through which we now continually draw near to God.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
20 And inasmuch as it was not without an oath
20 None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,
20 Now none of this happened without an oath. Others became priests without any oath,
20 And indeed it was not without the taking of an oath [that Christ 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:)
21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,“(Z)The Lord has swornAnd (AA)will not change His mind,‘You are a priest (AB)forever’”);
21 but He became a priest with an oath made by the One who said to Him:The Lord has sworn,and He will not change His mind,You are a priest forever.(M)(g)
21 but Jesus became a priest with an oath when God told him, "The Lord has taken an oath and will not change his mind. You are a priest forever."
21 (for those Levites who formerly became priests [received their office] without [its being confirmed by the taking of] an oath, but this One [was designated] with an oath through the One who said to Him,“The Lord has swornAnd will not change His mind or regret it,‘You (Christ) are a Priest forever’”).(C)
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
22 In this way, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
22 And so [because of the oath’s greater strength and force] Jesus has become the certain guarantee of a better covenant [a more excellent and more advantageous agreement; one that will never be replaced or annulled].
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
23 (h)The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,
23 Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office.
23 There have been many priests, since each one of them had to stop serving in office when he died.
23 The [former successive line of] priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were each prevented by death from continuing [perpetually in office];
24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues (AE)forever, holds His priesthood permanently.
24 But because He remains forever, He holds His priesthood permanently.
24 But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.
24 but, on the other hand, Jesus holds His priesthood permanently and without change, because He lives on forever.
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.
25 Therefore He is able also to (AF)save (i)forever those who (AG)draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to (AH)make intercession for them.
25 Therefore, He is always able to save(h) those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede(O) for them.
25 Therefore, because he always lives to intercede for them, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him.
25 Therefore He is able also to save forever (completely, perfectly, for eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede and intervene on their behalf [with God].
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
26 For it was fitting for us to have such a (AI)high priest, (AJ)holy, (AK)innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and (AL)exalted above the heavens;
26 For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.(P)
26 We need such a high priest one who is holy, innocent, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.
26 It was fitting for us to have such a High Priest [perfectly adapted to our needs], holy, blameless, unstained [by sin], separated from sinners and exalted 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.
27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to (AM)offer up sacrifices, (AN)first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did (AO)once for all when He (AP)offered up Himself.
27 He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do—first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all when He offered Himself.(Q)
27 He has no need to offer sacrifices every day like high priests do, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he sacrificed himself.
27 who has no day by day need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices, first of all for his own [personal] sins and then for those of the people, because He [met all the requirements and] did this once for all when He offered up Himself [as a willing sacrifice].
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.
28 For the Law appoints men as high priests (AQ)who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints (AR)a Son, (AS)made perfect forever.
28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son,(R) who has been perfected(S) forever.
28 For the Law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promised oath, which came after the Law, results in a Son who is eternally perfect.