Hebrews 5:5-7:22

New International Version

⁵ In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory^(A) of becoming a high priest.^(B) But God said^(C) to him,

⁶ And he says in another place,

⁷ During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions^(G) with fervent cries and tears^(H) to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard^(I) because of his reverent submission.^{(J) 8} Son^(K) though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered^{(L) 9} and, once made perfect,^(M) he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him ¹⁰ and was designated by God to be high priest^(N) in the order of Melchizedek.^(O)

Warning Against Falling Away^(P)

¹¹ We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. ¹² In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths^(Q) of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!^{(R) 13} Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,^(S) is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature,^(T) who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.^(U)

6 Therefore let us move beyond^(V) the elementary teachings^(W) about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,^[c](X) and of faith in God, ² instruction about cleansing rites,^[d](Y) the laying on of hands,^(Z) the resurrection of the dead,^(AA) and eternal judgment. ³ And God permitting,^(AB) we will do so.

⁴ It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened,^(AC) who have tasted the heavenly gift,^(AD) who have shared in the Holy Spirit,^{(AE) 5} who have tasted the goodness^(AF) of the word of God^(AG) and the powers of the coming age ⁶ and who have fallen^[e] away, to be brought back to repentance.^(AH) To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God^(AI) all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. ⁷ Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. ⁸ But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed.^(AJ) In the end it will be burned.

⁹ Even though we speak like this, dear friends,^(AK) we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. ¹⁰ God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.^{(AL) 11} We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope^(AM) for may be fully realized. ¹² We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate^(AN) those who through faith and patience^(AO) inherit what has been promised.^(AP)

The Certainty of God’s Promise

¹³ When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,^{(AQ) 14} saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”^{[f](AR) 15} And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.^(AS)

¹⁶ People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.^{(AT) 17} Because God wanted to make the unchanging^(AU) nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,^(AV) he confirmed it with an oath. ¹⁸ God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,^(AW) we who have fled to take hold of the hope^(AX) set before us may be greatly encouraged. ¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,^{(AY) 20} where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.^(AZ) He has become a high priest^(BA) forever, in the order of Melchizedek.^(BB)

Melchizedek the Priest

7 This Melchizedek was king of Salem^(BC) and priest of God Most High.^(BD) He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,^{(BE) 2} and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” ³ Without father or mother, without genealogy,^(BF) without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God,^(BG) he remains a priest forever.

⁴ Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch^(BH) Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!^{(BI) 5} Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people^(BJ)—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. ⁶ This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed^(BK) him who had the promises.^{(BL) 7} And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. ⁸ In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.^{(BM) 9} One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, ¹⁰ because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

Jesus Like Melchizedek

¹¹ If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people^(BN) established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come,^(BO) one in the order of Melchizedek,^(BP) not in the order of Aaron? 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,^(BQ) and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.^{(BR) 14} For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah,^(BS) 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:

¹⁸ The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless^{(BU) 19} (for the law made nothing perfect),^(BV) and a better hope^(BW) is introduced, by which we draw near to God.^(BX)

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:

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