Melchizedek and Abraham (Genesis 14:17–24)
1 WBS 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; 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 WBS 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; 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 WBS Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like to the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. 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 WBS Now consider how great this man was , to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. BSB BSB: Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.
5 WBS And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they come from 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 WBS But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes from 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 WBS And without all contradiction the less is blessed by the better. BSB BSB: And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8 WBS And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them , of whom it is testified 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 WBS And as I may say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. BSB BSB: And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham.
10 WBS For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. BSB BSB: For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
A Superior Priesthood 11 WBS 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? 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 WBS For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. BSB BSB: For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.
13 WBS For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance 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 WBS And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, BSB BSB: And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
16 WBS Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. BSB BSB: one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life.
17 WBS For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. BSB BSB: For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
18 WBS For there is verily a disannulling of the preceding commandment on account of its weakness and unprofitableness. BSB BSB: So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless
19 WBS For the law made nothing perfect, but the introduction of a better hope did ; 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 WBS And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest : BSB BSB: And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,
21 WBS (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath, by him that said to him, The Lord swore, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 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 WBS By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. BSB BSB: Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 WBS And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: BSB BSB: Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
24 WBS But this man , because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. BSB BSB: But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.
25 WBS Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come to God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession 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 WBS For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate 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 WBS 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. 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 WBS For the law maketh men high priests who have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated 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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