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Jesus and the Priesthood of Melchizedek

11 So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood—for on that basis[a] the people received the law—what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron’s order? 12 For when the priesthood changes, a change in the law must come[b] as well. 13 Yet the one these things are spoken about belongs to[c] a different tribe, and no one from that tribe[d] has ever officiated at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord is descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests in connection with that tribe. 15 And this is even clearer if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest not by a legal regulation about physical descent[e] but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For here is the testimony about him:[f]You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”[g] 18 On the one hand a former command is set aside[h] because it is weak and useless,[i] 19 for 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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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 7:11 tn Grk “based on it.”
  2. Hebrews 7:12 tn Grk “of necessity a change in the law comes to pass.”
  3. Hebrews 7:13 tn Grk “shares in.”
  4. Hebrews 7:13 tn Grk “from which no one.”
  5. Hebrews 7:16 tn Grk “a law of a fleshly command.”
  6. Hebrews 7:17 tn Grk “for he/it is witnessed that.”
  7. Hebrews 7:17 sn A quotation from Ps 110:4 (see Heb 5:6 and 6:20).
  8. Hebrews 7:18 tn Grk “the setting aside of a former command comes to pass.”
  9. Hebrews 7:18 tn Grk “because of its weakness and uselessness.”

11 If ei, then oun, perfection teleiōsis had been eimi attainable through dia the ho Levitical Leuitikos priesthood hierōsynē ( for gar under epi it autos the ho people laos had received the law nomotheteō), what tis further eti need chreia would there have been for another kind heteros of priest hiereus to arise anistēmi according to kata the ho order taxis of Melchizedek Melchisedek, · kai rather ou than one designated legō after kata the ho order taxis of Aaron Aarōn? 12 For gar whenever the ho priesthood hierōsynē is altered metatithēmi, there is ginomai necessarily ek anankē an alteration metathesis in nomos the law nomos as well kai. 13 For gar the one of epi whom hos these things houtos are said legō belongs to metechō a different heteros tribe phylē, from apo which hos no one oudeis has ever served prosechō at the ho altar thusiastērion. 14 For gar it is perfectly clear prodēlos that hoti our hēmeis Lord kyrios is descended anatellō from ek Judah Ioudas, · ho and in regard to eis that hos tribe phylē Moses Mōysēs said laleō nothing oudeis about peri priests hiereus. 15 And kai it is eimi even eti more perissoteros obvious katadēlos that if ei, according to kata the ho likeness homoiotēs of Melchizedek Melchisedek, another heteros priest hiereus arises anistēmi, 16 he hos does so not ou on the basis of kata a law nomos expressed ginomai in a carnal sarkinos commandment entolē, but alla on the basis of kata the power dynamis of an indestructible akatalytos life zōē. 17 For gar it is attested martyreō of him, “ You sy are a priest hiereus for eis all ho time aiōn, according to kata the ho order taxis of Melchizedek Melchisedek.”

18 For gar there is ginomai an annulment athetēsis of a former proagō commandment entolē because of dia · ho its autos weakness asthenēs and kai uselessness anōphelēs 19 ( for gar the ho law nomos made nothing oudeis perfect teleioō); but de the introduction epeisagōgē of a better kreittōn hope elpis through dia which hos we draw near engizō to ho God theos.

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