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Jesus Compared to Melchizedek

11 (A)Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended (B)from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him,

(C)“You are a priest for ever,
    after the order of Melchizedek.”

18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside (D)because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for (E)the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, (F)a better hope is introduced, through which (G)we draw near to God.

20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:

(H)“The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest for ever.’”

22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of (I)a better covenant.

23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues (J)for ever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost[a] (K)those who draw near to God (L)through him, since he always lives (M)to make intercession for them.

26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, (N)holy, innocent, unstained, (O)separated from sinners, and (P)exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, (Q)first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this (R)once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men (S)in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made (T)perfect for ever.

Jesus, High Priest of a Better Covenant

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, (U)one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in (V)the true tent[b] that the Lord (W)set up, not man.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 7:25 That is, completely; or at all times
  2. Hebrews 8:2 Or tabernacle; also verse 5