Heb.7.11

If the priesthood of Levi and Aaron, which provided the framework for the giving of the law, could really make people perfect, there wouldn't have been need for a new priesthood like that of Melchizedek.

Heb.7.11

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?

Heb.7.11

Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?

Heb.7.11

And finally, if the priesthood of Levi could have achieved God's purposes--and it was that priesthood on which the law was based--why did God need to send a different priest from the line of Melchizedek, instead of from the line of Levi and Aaron?

Heb.7.12

But since it didn't get the job done, there was a change of priesthood, which brought with it a radical new kind of law.

Heb.7.12

For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.

Heb.7.12

For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.

Heb.7.12

And when the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to permit it.

Heb.7.13

There is no way of understanding this in terms of the old Levitical priesthood,

Heb.7.13

He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.

Heb.7.13

For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.

Heb.7.13

For the one we are talking about belongs to a different tribe, whose members do not serve at the altar.

Heb.7.14

which is why there is nothing in Jesus' family tree connecting him with that priestly line.

Heb.7.14

For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

Heb.7.14

For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

Heb.7.14

What I mean is, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never mentioned Judah in connection with the priesthood.

Heb.7.15

But the Melchizedek story provides a perfect analogy: Jesus, a priest like Melchizedek,

Heb.7.15

And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,

Heb.7.15

And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest

Heb.7.15

The change in God's law is even more evident from the fact that a different priest, who is like Melchizedek, has now come.

Heb.7.16

not by genealogical descent but by the sheer force of resurrection life--he lives!-

Heb.7.16

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.

Heb.7.16

who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.

Heb.7.16

He became a priest, not by meeting the old requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed.

Heb.7.17

"priest forever in the royal order of Melchizedek."

Heb.7.17

For it is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

Heb.7.17

For He testifies: "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."

Heb.7.17

And the psalmist pointed this out when he said of Christ, "You are a priest forever in the line of Melchizedek."

Heb.7.18

The former way of doing things, a system of commandments that never worked out the way it was supposed to, was set aside;

Heb.7.18

The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless

Heb.7.18

For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,

Heb.7.18

Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless.

Heb.7.19

the law brought nothing to maturity. Another way--Jesus!-a way that does work, that brings us right into the presence of God, is put in its place.

Heb.7.19

(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

Heb.7.19

for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Heb.7.19

For the law made nothing perfect, and now a better hope has taken its place. And that is how we draw near to God.

Heb.7.20

The old priesthood of Aaron perpetuated itself automatically, father to son, without explicit confirmation by God.

Heb.7.20

And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath,

Heb.7.20

And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath

Heb.7.20

God took an oath that Christ would always be a priest, but he never did this for any other priest.

Heb.7.21

But then God intervened and called this new, permanent priesthood into being with an added promise: God gave his word; he won't take it back: "You're the permanent priest."

Heb.7.21

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.'"

Heb.7.21

(for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: "The LORD has sworn And will not relent, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek"'),

Heb.7.21

Only to Jesus did he say, "The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: 'You are a priest forever.'"

Heb.7.22

This makes Jesus the guarantee of a far better way between us and God--one that really works! A new covenant.

Heb.7.22

Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

Heb.7.22

by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

Heb.7.22

Because of God's oath, it is Jesus who guarantees the effectiveness of this better covenant.

Heb.7.23

Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced.

Heb.7.23

Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office;

Heb.7.23

Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.

Heb.7.23

Another difference is that there were many priests under the old system. When one priest died, another had to take his place.

Heb.7.24

But Jesus' priesthood is permanent. He's there from now to eternity

Heb.7.24

but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.

Heb.7.24

But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

Heb.7.24

But Jesus remains a priest forever; his priesthood will never end.

Heb.7.25

to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them.

Heb.7.25

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Heb.7.25

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Heb.7.25

Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to God through him. He lives forever to plead with God on their behalf.

Heb.7.26

So now we have a high priest who perfectly fits our needs: completely holy, uncompromised by sin, with authority extending as high as God's presence in heaven itself.

Heb.7.26

Such a high priest meets our need--one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

Heb.7.26

For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;

Heb.7.26

He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has now been set apart from sinners, and he has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.

Heb.7.27

Unlike the other high priests, he doesn't have to offer sacrifices for his own sins every day before he can get around to us and our sins. He's done it, once and for all: offered up himself as the sacrifice.

Heb.7.27

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.

Heb.7.27

who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

Heb.7.27

He does not need to offer sacrifices every day like the other high priests. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he sacrificed himself on the cross.

Heb.7.28

The law appoints as high priests men who are never able to get the job done right. But this intervening command of God, which came later, appoints the Son, who is absolutely, eternally perfect.

Heb.7.28

For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Heb.7.28

For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

Heb.7.28

Those who were high priests under the law of Moses were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made perfect forever.