Hebrews 7
NASB
Heb 7:1
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For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
Heb 7:2
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to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all {the spoils,} was first of all, by the translation {of his name,} king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.
Heb 7:3
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Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.
Heb 7:4
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Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.
Heb 7:5
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And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest's office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham.
Heb 7:6
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But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.
Heb 7:7
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But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.
Heb 7:8
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In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one {receives them,} of whom it is witnessed that he lives on.
Heb 7:9
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And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes,
Heb 7:10
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for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
Heb 7:11
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Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need {was there} for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?
Heb 7:12
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For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.
Heb 7:13
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For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
Heb 7:14
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For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
Heb 7:15
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And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,
Heb 7:16
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who has become {such} not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.
Heb 7:17
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For it is attested {of Him,} "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK."
Heb 7:18
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For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness
Heb 7:19
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(for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
Heb 7:20
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And inasmuch as {it was} not without an oath
Heb 7:21
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(for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, "THE LORD HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND, `YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER"');
Heb 7:22
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so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
Heb 7:23
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The {former} priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,
Heb 7:24
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but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.
Heb 7:25
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Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Heb 7:26
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For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;
Heb 7:27
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who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the {sins} of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
Heb 7:28
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For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, {appoints} a Son, made perfect forever.
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