12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe,(A) and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.(B) 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah,(C) and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared:

“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.”[a](D)

18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless(E) 19 (for the law made nothing perfect),(F) and a better hope(G) is introduced, by which we draw near to God.(H)

20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:

“The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind:(I)
    ‘You are a priest forever.’”[b](J)

22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.(K)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 7:17 Psalm 110:4
  2. Hebrews 7:21 Psalm 110:4

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

13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

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

16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

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

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

19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he 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:)

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

Read full chapter

12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has [a]officiated at the altar.

14 For it is evident that (A)our Lord arose from (B)Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning [b]priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For [c]He testifies:

(C)“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”

18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of (D)its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for (E)the law made nothing [d]perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of (F)a better hope, through which (G)we draw near to God.

Greatness of the New Priest

20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

(H)“The Lord has sworn
And will not relent,
‘You are a priest [e]forever
According to the order of Melchizedek’ ”),

22 by so much more Jesus has become a [f]surety of a (I)better covenant.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 7:13 served
  2. Hebrews 7:14 NU priests
  3. Hebrews 7:17 NU it is testified
  4. Hebrews 7:19 complete
  5. Hebrews 7:21 NU ends the quotation after forever.
  6. Hebrews 7:22 guarantee