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 (A)So if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it (B)the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise (C)according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. 13 For (D)the one about whom (E)these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord [a]was (F)descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses said nothing concerning priests. 15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest not on the basis of a law of [b](G)physical requirement, but according to the power of (H)an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him,

(I)You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”

18 For, on the one hand, there is the nullification of a former commandment (J)because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for (K)the Law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, there is the introduction of a better (L)hope, through which we (M)come near to God.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 7:14 Lit has arisen from
  2. Hebrews 7:16 Lit fleshly commandment; i.e., to be a descendant of Levi