Melchizedek
The Priest
This
Melchizedek was king of Salem
And
Priest of God Most High.
He
met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,
2
And Abraham gave him a Tenth of everything.
First
his name means “king of righteousness”;
Then
also “king of Salem means “king of Peace.”
3
WITHOUT FATHER OR MOTHER,
WITHOUT
GENEALOGY,
WITHOUT
BEGINNING OF DAYS OR END OF LIFE,
LIKE
THE SON OF GOD HE REMAINS A PRIEST FOREVER.
4
Just think how great he was:
Even
the Patriarch Abraham gave him a Tenth of the Plunder!
5
Now the Law requires the descendants of Levi
Who
become Priests
To
collect a Tenth from the people--
That
is, their brothers--
Even
though their brothers are descended from Abraham.
4
This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi,
Yet
he collected a Tenth from Abraham
And
blessed him who had the Promises.
7
And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater.
8
In the one case, the Tenth is collected by men who Die;
But
in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.
9
On might even say that Levi, who collected the Tenth,
Paid
the Tenth through Abraham,
10
Because when Melchizedek met Abraham,
Levi
was still in the body of his ancestor.
Jesus
Like Melchizedek
11
If perfection could have been attained
Through
the Levitical Priesthood
(For
on the basis of it the Law was given to the people),
Why
was there still need for another Priest to come--
One
in the Order of Melchizedek,
Not
in the Order of Aaron?
12
For when there is a change of the Priesthood,
There
must also be a change of the Law.
13
He of whom these things are said
Belonged
to a different Tribe,
And
no one from that Tribe has ever served at the Altar.
14
For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah,
And
in regard to that Tribe Moses said nothing about Priests.
15
And what we have said is even more clear
If
another Priest like Melchizedek appears,
16
One who has become a Priest
Not
on the basis of a Regulation as to his ancestry
But
on the basis of the Power of an Indestructible Life.
17
For it is declared:
'You
are a Priest forever,
In
the Order of Melchizedek.'
18
THE FORMER REGULATION IS SET ASIDE
BECAUSE
IT WAS WEAK AND USELESS
19
(For the Law made nothing perfect),
AND
A BETTER HOPE IS INTRODUCED,
BY
WHICH WE DRAW NEAR TO GOD.
20
And it was not without an Oath!
Others
became Priests without any Oath,
21
But he became a Priest with an Oath
When
God said to him:
'The
Lord has sworn and will not change His mind:
'You
are a Priest forever.'
22
BECAUSE OF THIS OATH,
JESUS
HAS BECOME THE GUARANTEE OF A BETTER COVENANT.
23
Now there were many of those Priests,
Since
Death prevented them from continuing in office;
24
BUT BECAUSE JESUS LIVES FOREVER,
HE
HAS A PERMANENT PRIESTHOOD.
25
Therefore He is able to Save Completely
Those
who come to God through Him,
BECAUSE
HE ALWAYS LIVES TO INTERCEDE FOR THEM.
26
Such a High Priest meets our need--
One
Who is Holy, Blameless, Pure, Set Apart from Sinners,
EXALTED
ABOVE THE HEAVENS.
27
Unlike the other High Priests,
He
does not need to offer Sacrifices day after day,
First
for his own Sins,
And
then for the Sins of the people.
HE
SACRIFICED FOR THEIR SINS ONCE FOR ALL
WHEN
HE OFFERED HIMSELF.
28
For the Law appoints as High Priest men who are weak;
BUT
THE OATH,
Which
came after the Law,,
APPOINTED
THE SON,
WHO
HAS BEEN MADE PERFECT FOREVER.
(Hebrews
7)
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