Book of Common Prayer
Now Observe How Great This Melchizedek Is
7 For this Melchizedek[a], king of Salem, priest of the Most-High God, remains[b] a priest perpetually[c]— the one having met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and having blessed him; 2 to whom also Abraham divided a tenth from everything; who is first ([his name] being translated), king of righteousness; and then also king of Salem, which is[d] king of peace; 3 fatherless, motherless, genealogy-less, having[e] neither a beginning of days nor an end of life, but having been made-like[f] the Son of God. 4 Now observe how great this one is to whom indeed Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth from the choicest-spoils:
He Is Greater Than Abraham
5 Indeed, the ones from the sons of Levi receiving the priestly-office have a commandment to be collecting-a-tenth-from the people according to the Law (that is, from their brothers, even though their brothers have come-out of the loins of Abraham)— 6 yet the one not tracing-his-genealogy from them has collected-a-tenth from Abraham, and has blessed the one having the promises! 7 And apart from all dispute, the lesser one is blessed by the better one.
He Is Living As a Priest Perpetually
8 And here, dying men[g] receive the tenths— yet there, it is being attested[h] that he is living!
He Is Greater Than Levi And His Priesthood
9 And so to speak, through Abraham even Levi[i], the one receiving the tenths, has paid-a-tenth. 10 For he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him!
Now Why Did Another Priesthood Need To Arise After Aaron?
11 Now indeed, if perfection had been through the Levitical priesthood (for the [Jewish] people have received-the-Law on the basis of it) what further need would there have been that another priest should arise according to the order[j] of Melchizedek, and not be named according to the order of Aaron?
For This New Priesthood Also Brings a Change of Law
12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is[k] also a change of law.
For Its High Priest Is From The Tribe of Judah
13 For the One about Whom these[l] things are spoken has partaken of another tribe from which no one has attended-to the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord has risen from Judah— for which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
And He Became High Priest Based On His Indestructible Life
15 And it is still even-more very-clear[m] if Another Priest arises in accordance with the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 Who has become such not based-on the law of a fleshy[n] commandment, but based on the power of an indestructible life! 17 For it is attested that “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” [Ps 110:4].
The Seventy-Two Return Rejoicing In Their Power. Rejoice In Your Salvation Instead
17 And the seventy two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name”. 18 And He said to them, “I was seeing[a] Satan having fallen like[b] lightning from heaven. 19 Behold— I have given you the authority to trample[c] on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. And nothing will by-any-means[d] harm you. 20 Nevertheless, do not be rejoicing in this— that the spirits are subject to you. But be rejoicing that your names have been recorded in the heavens”.
It Pleases God To Hide The Kingdom From The Wise And Reveal It To The Childlike
21 At the very hour, He rejoiced-greatly in the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that[e] You hid these things from wise ones and intelligent ones, and You revealed them to children[f]. Yes, Father, because[g] in this manner it became well-pleasing in Your sight. 22 All things were handed-over to Me by My Father. And no one knows[h] Who the Son is except the Father, and Who the Father is except the Son— and anyone to whom[i] the Son wills[j] to reveal Him”. 23 And having turned to the disciples, He said privately, “Blessed[k] are the eyes seeing the things which you are seeing. 24 For I say to you that many prophets and kings wanted to experience[l] the things which you are seeing, and they did not experience them; and to hear the things which you are hearing, and they did not hear them”.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing