The Greatness Of Melchizedek

1 It was this Melchizedek, King of Salem and 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 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 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.

2 and it was to him that Abraham apportioned a tithe of all the spoil. He was first, as his name signifies, King of righteousness, and then King of Salem, that 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 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 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."

3 without father or mother, without lineage, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest in perpetuity.

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, 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, 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 But observe how great this man was, to whom even Abraham, the Patriarch, gave a tenth part 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, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the 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!

5 Now those of the sons of Levi who are appointed to the priesthood, are authorized by the Law to take tithes of the people, that is, of their brothers, and that too, although these are descended from 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 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 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.

6 But this man who had no Levitical genealogy actually took tithes of Abraham, and blessed him to whom the promises belong.

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 he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that 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.

7 Now it is beyond all controversy that the inferior is always blessed by the superior.

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

7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

7 Without a doubt,(c) the inferior is blessed by the superior.

7 It is beyond dispute that the less important person is blessed by the more important person.

8 Again it is mortal men who receive tithes in the one case; while in the other it is he of whom it is attested, "He lives."

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 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

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 even Levi, who is the receiver of tithes, so to speak, paid tithes through Abraham;

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

9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

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,

10 for Levi was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met Abraham.

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

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

10 for he was still within his ancestor(d) when Melchizedek met him.

10 because Levi was still inside his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

The Superiority Of Jesus To Melchizedek

11 Now if there were perfection through the Levitical priesthood, (and it was under it that the people received the Law) why was it still necessary for another kind of priest to arise, after the order of Melchizedek, instead of being reckoned according to 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 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 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?

12 For when the priesthood changes, of necessity the law also changes.

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

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

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.

13 He who is thus described belonged to another tribe, not one member of which has ever served 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 he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance 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.

14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe of which Moses said nothing concerning the 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 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

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.

Another Priest, Like Melchizedek

15 And this is yet more abundantly clear if, after the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another Priest,

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

15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

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 has become such, not according to the law of a transitory enactment, but according to the energy of an indissoluble 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 is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless 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.

17 For the words are in evidence, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

17 For it is attested of Him,(U)You are a priest foreverAccording to the order of Melchizedek.”

17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

17 For it has been testified:You are a priest foreverin the order of Melchizedek.(I)(f)

17 For it is declared about him, "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."

18 For there is a setting aside of a foregoing commandment, because of its weakness and unprofitableness

18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment (V)because of its weakness and uselessness

18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

18 So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable(J)

18 Indeed, because it was weak and ineffective, the former commandment has been annulled,

19 (for the Law brought nothing to perfection); and there is the bringing in of a better hope by which we draw near to 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 made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto 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.

20 mightier because it was not promised apart from an oath.

20 And inasmuch as it was not without an oath

20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

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,

21 For although those priests became such without an oath, He had an oath form God who said to him, The Lord hath sworn and will not change, Thou art a priest forever.

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 (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 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."

22 And by so much Jesus becomes the guarantor of a better covenant.

22 so much the more also Jesus has become the (AC)guarantee of (AD)a better covenant.

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

22 So Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.(N)

22 In this way, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.

23 And they indeed have been made priests, many in number, because they have been prevented by death from continuing;

23 (h)The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,

23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

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.

24 but he, because of his abiding forever, holds his priesthood inviolable.

24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues (AE)forever, holds His priesthood permanently.

24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

24 But because He remains forever, He holds His priesthood permanently.

24 But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.

25 Hence also he is able to continue saving to the uttermost those who are ever drawing near to God through him, seeing that he is ever living to intercede 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 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 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.

26 For we needed just such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above 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 such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than 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.

27 one who has no need, like the high priests, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for his own sins, then for those of the people. For his sacrifice was made once for all, 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 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 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.

28 For the Law appoints human beings to be high priests, men with all their weakness; but the word of the oath, which was later than the Law, appoints a Son, perfected forevermore.

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 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 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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

King James Version Public Domain

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org