Hebrews 7:11-28

Amplified Bible

¹¹ Now if perfection [a perfect fellowship between God and the worshiper] had been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people were given the Law) what further need was there for another and different kind of priest to arise, one in the manner of Melchizedek, rather than one appointed to the order of Aaron? ¹² For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is of necessity a change of the law [concerning the priesthood] as well. ¹³ For the One of whom these things are said belonged [not to the priestly line of Levi but] to another tribe, from which no one has officiated or served at the altar. ¹⁴ For it is evident that our Lord descended from [the tribe of] Judah, and Moses mentioned nothing about priests in connection with that tribe. ¹⁵ And this becomes even more evident if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,^{(A) 16} who has become a priest, not on the basis of a ^[a]physical and legal requirement in the Law [concerning his ancestry as a descendant of Levi], but on the basis of the power of an indestructible and endless life. ¹⁷ For it is attested [by God] of Him,

¹⁸ For, on the one hand, a former commandment is cancelled because of its weakness and uselessness [because of its inability to justify the sinner before God] ¹⁹ (for the Law never made anything perfect); while on the other hand a better hope is introduced through which we now continually draw near to God. ²⁰ And indeed it was not without the taking of an oath [that Christ was made priest] ²¹ (for those Levites who formerly became priests [received their office] without [its being confirmed by the taking of] an oath, but this One [was designated] with an oath through the One who said to Him,

²² And so [because of the oath’s greater strength and force] Jesus has become the certain guarantee of a better covenant [a more excellent and more advantageous agreement; one that will never be replaced or annulled].

²³ The [former successive line of] priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were each prevented by death from continuing [perpetually in office]; ²⁴ but, on the other hand, Jesus holds His priesthood permanently and without change, because He lives on forever. ²⁵ Therefore He is able also to save forever (completely, perfectly, for eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede and intervene on their behalf [with God].

²⁶ It was fitting for us to have such a High Priest [perfectly adapted to our needs], holy, blameless, unstained [by sin], separated from sinners and exalted higher than the heavens; ²⁷ who has no day by day need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices, first of all for his own [personal] sins and then for those of the people, because He [met all the requirements and] did this once for all when He offered up Himself [as a willing sacrifice]. ²⁸ For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak [frail, sinful, dying men], but the word of the oath [of God], which came after [the institution of] the Law, permanently appoints [as priest] a Son ^[b]who has been made perfect forever.^(D)