Melchizedek and Abraham (Genesis 14:17–24)
1 DRA For this Melchisedech was king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him: BSB BSB: This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2 DRA To whom also Abraham divided the tithes of all: who first indeed by interpretation, is king of justice: and then also king of Salem, that is, king of peace: BSB BSB: and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”
3 DRA Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but likened unto the Son of God, continueth a priest for ever. BSB BSB: Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.
4 DRA Now consider how great this man is, to whom also Abraham the patriarch gave tithes out of the principal things. BSB BSB: Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.
5 DRA And indeed they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is to say, of their brethren: though they themselves also came out of the loins of Abraham. BSB BSB: Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.
6 DRA But he, whose pedigree is not numbered among them, received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. BSB BSB: But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
7 DRA And without all contradiction, that which is less, is blessed by the better. BSB BSB: And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8 DRA And here indeed, men that die, receive thithes: but there he hath witness, that he liveth. BSB BSB: In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedek, it is affirmed that he lives on.
9 DRA And (as it may be said) even Levi who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham: BSB BSB: And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham.
10 DRA For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedech met him. BSB BSB: For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
A Superior Priesthood 11 DRA If then perfection was by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchisedech, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? BSB BSB: Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?
12 DRA For the priesthood being translated, it is necessary that a translation also be made of the law. BSB BSB: For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.
13 DRA For he, of whom these things are spoken, is of another tribe, of which no one attended on the altar. BSB BSB: He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
15 DRA And it is yet far more evident: if according to the similitude of Melchisedech there ariseth another priest, BSB BSB: And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
16 DRA Who is made not according to the law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an indissoluble life: BSB BSB: one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life.
17 DRA For he testifieth: Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech. BSB BSB: For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
18 DRA There is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment, because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof: BSB BSB: So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless
19 DRA (For the law brought nothing to perfection,) but a bringing in of a better hope, by which we draw nigh to God. BSB BSB: (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
20 DRA And inasmuch as it is not without an oath, (for the others indeed were made priests without an oath; BSB BSB: And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,
21 DRA But this with an oath, by him that said unto him: The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever.) BSB BSB: but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”
22 DRA By so much is Jesus made a surety of a better testament. BSB BSB: Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 DRA And the others indeed were made many priests, because by reason of death they were not suffered to continue: BSB BSB: Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
24 DRA But this, for that he continueth for ever, hath an everlasting priesthood, BSB BSB: But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.
25 DRA Whereby he is able also to save for ever them that come to God by him; always living to make intercession for us. BSB BSB: Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
26 DRA For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; BSB BSB: Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
27 DRA Who needeth not daily (as the other priests) to offer sacrifices first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, in offering himself. BSB BSB: Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.
28 DRA For the law maketh men priests, who have infirmity: but the word of the oath, which was since the law, the Son who is perfected for evermore. BSB BSB: For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
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