Hebrews 7:18-28

New Testament for Everyone

¹⁸ What is happening here is that the previous commandment is being set aside. It was, after all, weak and useless; ¹⁹ the law brought nothing to perfection, did it? Instead, what appears is a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

The permanent priesthood of Jesus

²⁰ This is all the more so when you consider that an oath was sworn. The Levitical priests, you see, become priests without an oath, ²¹ but the Messiah attains his priesthood with an oath, through what was said to him:

²² Jesus has thus, additionally, become the guarantee of a better covenant.

²³ There needed to be a large number of Levitical priests, since they stop holding office at death. ²⁴ But since he continues as a priest forever, his priesthood is permanent. ²⁵ That’s why he is able to save those who come to God through him, completely and forever—since he always lives to make intercession for them.

²⁶ It was appropriate that we should have a high priest like this. He is holy, without blame or stain, separated from sinners, and elevated high above the heavens. ²⁷ He doesn’t need (like the ordinary high priests do) to offer sacrifices every day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people. He did this once for all, you see, when he offered himself. ²⁸ For the law appoints ordinary, weak, mortal men as high priests; but the word of the oath, which comes after the law, appoints the son, who has been made perfect forever.