Jesus Compared to Melchizedek

11 (A)Now if perfection had been attainable 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 order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended (B)from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him,

(C)“You are a priest forever,
    after the order of Melchizedek.”

18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside (D)because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for (E)the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, (F)a better hope is introduced, through which (G)we draw near to God.

20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:

(H)“The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever.’”

22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of (I)a better covenant.

23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues (J)forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost[a] (K)those who draw near to God (L)through him, since he always lives (M)to make intercession for them.

26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, (N)holy, innocent, unstained, (O)separated from sinners, and (P)exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, (Q)first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this (R)once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men (S)in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made (T)perfect forever.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 7:25 That is, completely; or at all times

The High Priestly Prayer

17 When Jesus had spoken these words, (A)he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, (B)the hour has come; (C)glorify your Son that the Son may (D)glorify you, since (E)you have given him authority over all flesh, (F)to give eternal life to all (G)whom you have given him. (H)And this is eternal life, (I)that they know you, (J)the only (K)true God, and (L)Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I (M)glorified you on earth, (N)having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, (O)glorify me in your own presence with the glory (P)that I had with you (Q)before the world existed.

(R)“I have manifested your name to the people (S)whom you gave me out of the world. (T)Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything (U)that you have given me is from you. For I have given them (V)the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that (W)I came from you; and (X)they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. (Y)I am not praying for the world but for those (Z)whom you have given me, for (AA)they are yours. 10 (AB)All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and (AC)I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but (AD)they are in the world, and (AE)I am coming to you. (AF)Holy Father, (AG)keep them in your name, (AH)which you have given me, (AI)that they may be one, (AJ)even as we are one. 12 (AK)While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have (AL)guarded them, and (AM)not one of them has been lost except (AN)the son of destruction, (AO)that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now (AP)I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have (AQ)my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 (AR)I have given them your word, and (AS)the world has hated them (AT)because they are not of the world, (AU)just as I am not of the world. 15 I (AV)do not ask that you (AW)take them out of the world, but that you (AX)keep them from (AY)the evil one.[a] 16 (AZ)They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 (BA)Sanctify them[b] in the truth; (BB)your word is truth. 18 (BC)As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And (BD)for their sake (BE)I consecrate myself,[c] that they also (BF)may be sanctified[d] in truth.

20 “I do not (BG)ask for these only, but also for those (BH)who will believe in me through their word, 21 (BI)that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that (BJ)they also may be in (BK)us, so that the world (BL)may believe that you have sent me. 22 (BM)The glory that you have given me (BN)I have given to them, (BO)that they may be one even as we are one, 23 (BP)I in them and you in me, (BQ)that they may become perfectly one, (BR)so that the world may know that you sent me and (BS)loved them even as (BT)you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be (BU)with me (BV)where I am, (BW)to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me (BX)before the foundation of the world. 25 (BY)O righteous Father, even though (BZ)the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 (CA)I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love (CB)with which you have loved me may be in them, and (CC)I in them.”

Footnotes

  1. John 17:15 Or from evil
  2. John 17:17 Greek Set them apart (for holy service to God)
  3. John 17:19 Or I sanctify myself; or I set myself apart (for holy service to God)
  4. John 17:19 Greek may be set apart (for holy service to God)

Bible Gateway Recommends

ESV Church Bible (Value Pew Bible) Case of 24
ESV Church Bible (Value Pew Bible) Case of 24
Retail: $311.76
Our Price: $155.76
Save: $156.00 (50%)
ESV Student Study Bible, TruTone, Sky Blue with Ivy Design
ESV Student Study Bible, TruTone, Sky Blue with Ivy Design
Retail: $44.99
Our Price: $20.99
Save: $24.00 (53%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Premium Gift Bible, Imitation Leather, Black w/ Flame Design
ESV Premium Gift Bible, Imitation Leather, Black w/ Flame Design
Retail: $19.99
Our Price: $13.99
Save: $6.00 (30%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Value Compact Bible, TruTone Imitation Leather, Brown
ESV Value Compact Bible, TruTone Imitation Leather, Brown
Retail: $14.99
Our Price: $10.99
Save: $4.00 (27%)
3.5 of 5.0 stars