Hebrews 6:9-7:10

New International Version

⁹ Even though we speak like this, dear friends,^(A) we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. ¹⁰ God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.^{(B) 11} We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope^(C) for may be fully realized. ¹² We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate^(D) those who through faith and patience^(E) inherit what has been promised.^(F)

The Certainty of God’s Promise

¹³ When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,^{(G) 14} saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”^{[a](H) 15} And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.^(I)

¹⁶ People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.^{(J) 17} Because God wanted to make the unchanging^(K) nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,^(L) he confirmed it with an oath. ¹⁸ God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,^(M) we who have fled to take hold of the hope^(N) set before us may be greatly encouraged. ¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,^{(O) 20} where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.^(P) He has become a high priest^(Q) forever, in the order of Melchizedek.^(R)

Melchizedek the Priest

7 This Melchizedek was king of Salem^(S) and priest of God Most High.^(T) He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,^{(U) 2} 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.” ³ Without father or mother, without genealogy,^(V) without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God,^(W) he remains a priest forever.

⁴ Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch^(X) Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!^{(Y) 5} Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people^(Z)—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. ⁶ This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed^(AA) him who had the promises.^{(AB) 7} And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. ⁸ In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.^{(AC) 9} One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, ¹⁰ because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.