Melchizedek and Abraham (Genesis 14:17–24)
1 UEB It was this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, 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 UEB It was to him that Abraham gave a tenth of everything. His name "Melchizedek" means "king of righteousness." His other title is "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 UEB He is without father, without mother, without ancestors, with neither beginning of days nor end of life. Instead, he resembles the Son of God, because he remains a priest forever. 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 UEB See how great this man was to whom the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the things that he had taken in battle. BSB BSB: Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.
5 UEB The sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a command from the law to collect tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, even though they, too, have come from Abraham's body. 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 UEB But Melchizedek, whose descent was not traced from them, received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him, the one who 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 UEB There is no denying that the lesser person is blessed by the greater person. BSB BSB: And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8 UEB In this case, mortal men receive tithes, but in that case it is testified that he lives on. 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 UEB And, in a manner of speaking, Levi, who received tithes, also paid tithes through Abraham, BSB BSB: And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham.
10 UEB because Levi was in the body of his ancestor when Melchizedek met Abraham. BSB BSB: For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
A Superior Priesthood 11 UEB Now if perfection were possible through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the manner of Melchizedek, and not be considered to be after the manner 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 UEB For when the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed. BSB BSB: For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.
13 UEB For the one about whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at 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 UEB What we say is clearer yet if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek. BSB BSB: And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
16 UEB It was not based on the law of fleshly descent that he became a priest, but instead was based on the power of an everlasting life. BSB BSB: one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life.
17 UEB For scripture witnesses about him: "You are a priest forever after the manner of Melchizedek." BSB BSB: For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
18 UEB For the former regulation is set aside because it is weak and useless, BSB BSB: So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless
19 UEB (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, through which we come near to God. BSB BSB: (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
20 UEB And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, BSB BSB: And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,
21 UEB but he became a priest when God said to him, "The Lord has sworn and he will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever.'" 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 UEB By this also Jesus has given the guarantee of a better covenant. BSB BSB: Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 UEB The former priests were many in number, since death prevented them from continuing in office. BSB BSB: Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
24 UEB But because Jesus continues to live forever, he has a permanent priesthood. BSB BSB: But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.
25 UEB Therefore he is also able to save completely those who approach God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 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 UEB For such a high priest is suitable for us. He is sinless, blameless, pure, separated from sinners, and has become 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 UEB He does not need, unlike the high priests, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He did this once for all, when he offered 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 UEB For the law appoints as high priests men who have weaknesses. But the word of the oath, which came after the law, appointed a Son, who has been made perfect forever. 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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