A Superior Priesthood

11 Now if perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the law(A)), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be according to the order of Melchizedek and not according to the order of Aaron?(B) 12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well. 13 For the one these things are spoken about belonged to a different tribe. No one from it has served at the altar. 14 Now it is evident that our Lord came from Judah,(C) and Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests.

15 And this becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 who did not become a priest based on a legal regulation about physical[a] descent but based on the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it has been testified:

You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek.[b](D)

18 So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable(E) 19 (for the law perfected(F) nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. 7:16 Or fleshly
  2. 7:17 Ps 110:4

11 So if perfection came through the levitical office of priest (for the people received the Law under the priests), why was there still a need to speak about raising up another priest according to the order of Melchizedek rather than one according to the order of Aaron? 12 When the order of the priest changes, there has to be a change in the Law as well. 13 The person we are talking about belongs to another tribe, and no one ever served at the altar from that tribe. 14 It’s clear that our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, but Moses never said anything about priests from that tribe. 15 And it’s even clearer if another priest appears who is like Melchizedek. 16 He has become a priest by the power of a life that can’t be destroyed, rather than a legal requirement about physical descent. 17 This is confirmed:

You are a priest forever,
        according to the order of Melchizedek.[a]

Able to save completely

18 On the one hand, an earlier command is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (because the Law made nothing perfect). On the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

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