Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks
6 Therefore leaving the basic teaching of the Messiah, let us move on toward maturity—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of trust in God, 2 of teaching about immersions, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 Now this we will do, if God permits.
4 For it is impossible for those who once were enlightened—having tasted of the heavenly gift and become partakers of the Ruach ha-Kodesh, 5 and having tasted the good word of God and the powers of the olam ha-ba, 6 and then having fallen away—to renew again to repentance, since they are again crucifying Ben-Elohim for themselves and publicly disgracing Him. 7 For the earth—having soaked up the rain frequently falling on it—brings forth vegetation[a] useful to those for whom it is farmed; and it shares in God’s blessing. 8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed—its end is to be burned over.[b]
9 But even though we speak like this, loved ones, concerning you we are convinced of better things[c]—things coming with salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love that you showed for His name, in having served and continuing to serve the kedoshim. 11 But we long for each of you to show the same eagerness for the certainty of hope to the very end— 12 so you will not be sluggish,[d] but imitators of those inheriting the promises through trust and perseverance.
The Promise and the Oath
13 Now when God made His promise to Abraham—since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you, and surely I will multiply you.” [e] 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham reached the promise. [f] 16 For people swear by someone greater; and the oath, as confirmation, is an end to all their disputing. 17 In the same way God, determining to point out more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchanging nature of His purpose, guaranteed it with an oath. 18 So by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie,[g] we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. 19 We have this hope as an anchor of the soul, both firm and steady—a hope that enters the inner place behind the curtain. [h] 20 Yeshua has entered there as a forerunner on our behalf, having become Kohen Gadol “forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”[i]
Melchizedek, a Kohen Forever
7 For this Melchizedek was king of Salem, kohen of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, [j] 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth of everything. First, by the translation of his name, he is “King of Righteousness”[k]; and then also King of Salem, which is “King of Shalom.” 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life but made like Ben-Elohim, he remains a kohen for all time.
4 Now see how great this man is! Even Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth out of the plunder. 5 Indeed, those sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have, according to Torah, a command to collect a tithe from the people[l]—that is, from their kin, although they have come out of the loins of Abraham. 6 But this one—who did not have their genealogy—has collected tithes from Abraham and has blessed him, the one holding the promises. 7 Now it is beyond dispute that the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In one case, dying men receive tithes; but in the other, one about whom it is testified that he lives on. 9 Through Abraham even Levi, the one receiving tithes, has paid the tithe, so to speak— 10 for he was still in his father’s loins when Melchizedek met him.
Yeshua, Our Kohen Gadol Forever
11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for based on it the people had been given the Torah[m]), what further need was there for a different kohen to arise—designated according to the order of Melchizedek, not according to the order of Aaron? 12 For whenever the priesthood is altered, out of necessity an alteration[n] of law also takes place. 13 For the one about whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord has sprung forth[o] from Judah—concerning this tribe, Moses said nothing about kohanim. 15 And it is even more evident, if another kohen arises like Melchizedek— 16 one made not by virtue of a Torah requirement of physical descent,[p] but by virtue of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is testified,
“You are a kohen forever,
according to the order of Melchizedek.”[q]
18 For on the one hand, a former requirement is set aside because of its weakness and ineffectiveness— 19 for Torah made nothing perfect. But on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
20 Moreover, it was not without a sworn oath. (Others indeed have become kohanim without a sworn oath, 21 but He with an oath—sworn by the One who said to Him, “Adonai has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a kohen forever.’”[r]) 22 How much more then has Yeshua become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 Now on the one hand, many have become kohanim, who through death are prevented from continuing in office. [s] 24 But on the other hand, the One who does remain forever has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, always living to make intercession for them.
26 For such a Kohen Gadol was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need to offer up sacrifices day by day like those other kohanim g’dolim—first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people.[t] For when He offered up Himself, He did this once for all. 28 For the Torah appoints as kohanim g’dolim men who have weakness; but the word of the oath,[u] which came after the Torah, appoints a Son—made perfect forever.
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.