Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

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^[a] 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^[b] also a change of law.

For Its High Priest Is From The Tribe of Judah

¹³ For the One about Whom these^[c] 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^[d] if Another Priest arises in accordance with the likeness of Melchizedek, ¹⁶ Who has become such not based-on the law of a fleshy^[e] 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 New Sets Aside The Old And Brings In a Better Hope

¹⁸ For a setting-aside^[f] of the preceding commandment takes place because of its weakness and unprofitableness ¹⁹ (for the Law perfected nothing)— and a bringing-in of a better hope through which we draw-near to God.

Jesus Is a Better Priest Because His Priesthood Is Based On God’s Oath

²⁰ And^[g] to the degree that it was not without an oath-swearing (for the ones have become^[h] priests without an oath-swearing, ²¹ but the One with an oath-swearing, through the One saying to Him [in Ps 110:4]: “The Lord swore and He will not change-His-mind, You are a priest forever”)— ²² to that degree also Jesus has become the guarantee^[i] of a better covenant.