-
The Son Superior to Angels
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”?
-
But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
-
To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?
-
For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,
-
and put everything under their feet.” In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.
-
But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
-
In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.
-
For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
-
For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.
-
Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
-
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
-
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
-
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
-
Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
-
Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation.
-
and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”
-
Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!
-
Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham.
-
One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham,
-
He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.
-
And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
-
Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.
-
They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”
-
When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry.
-
This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.
