Scripture Reference Window
Browser "Back" or "Alt+Left_Arrow" to return.
Hebrews 7:11-25 GW The people established the Levitical priesthood based on instructions they received. If the work of the Levitical priests had been perfect, we wouldn't need to speak about another kind of priest. However, we speak about another kind of priest, a priest like Melchizedek, not a Levitical priest like Aaron. (12) When a different kind of priesthood is established, the regulations for those priests are different. (13) The priest whom we are talking about was a member of a different tribe. No one from that tribe ever served as a priest at the altar. (14) Everyone knows that our Lord came from the tribe of Judah. Moses never said anything about priests coming from that tribe. (15) The regulations were different. This became clear when a different priest who is like Melchizedek appeared. (16) That person is a priest, not because he met human requirements, but because he has power that comes from a life that cannot be destroyed. (17) The Scriptures say the following about him: "You are a priest forever, in the way Melchizedek was a priest." (Psa. 110:4) (18) The former requirements are rejected because they are weak and useless. (19) Moses' Teachings couldn't accomplish everything that God required. But we have something else that gives us greater confidence and allows us to approach God. (20) None of this happened without an oath. The men from the tribe of Levi may have become priests without an oath, (21) but Jesus became a priest when God took an oath. God said about him, "The Lord has taken an oath and will not change his mind. You are a priest forever." (22) In this way Jesus has become the guarantee of a better promise. (23) There was a long succession of priests because when a priest died he could no longer serve. (24) But Jesus lives forever, so he serves as a priest forever. (25) That is why he is always able to save those who come to God through him. He can do this because he always lives and intercedes for them.
Hebrews 7:11-25 ESV 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 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, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek." (Psa. 110:4) (18) For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (19) (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which 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: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever.'" (22) This makes Jesus the guarantor of 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 forever. (25) Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:11-25 GNB It was on the basis of the levitical priesthood that the Law was given to the people of Israel. Now, if the work of the levitical priests had been perfect, there would have been no need for a different kind of priest to appear, one who is in the priestly order of Melchizedek, not of Aaron. (12) For when the priesthood is changed, there also has to be a change in the law. (13) And our Lord, of whom these things are said, belonged to a different tribe, and no member of his tribe ever served as a priest. (14) It is well known that he was born a member of the tribe of Judah; and Moses did not mention this tribe when he spoke of priests. (15) The matter becomes even plainer; a different priest has appeared, who is like Melchizedek. (16) He was made a priest, not by human rules and regulations, but through the power of a life which has no end. (17) For the scripture says, "You will be a priest forever, in the priestly order of Melchizedek." (Psa. 110:4) (18) The old rule, then, is set aside, because it was weak and useless. (19) For the Law of Moses could not make anything perfect. And now a better hope has been provided through which we come near to God. (20) In addition, there is also God's vow. There was no such vow when the others were made priests. (21) But Jesus became a priest by means of a vow when God said to him, "The Lord has made a solemn promise and will not take it back: 'You will be a priest forever.' " (22) This difference, then, also makes Jesus the guarantee of a better covenant. (23) There is another difference: there were many of those other priests, because they died and could not continue their work. (24) But Jesus lives on forever, and his work as priest does not pass on to someone else. (25) And so he is able, now and always, to save those who come to God through him, because he lives forever to plead with God for them.
Hebrews 7:11-25 LITV Truly, then, if perfection was through the Levitical priestly office (for the people had been given Law under it), why yet was there need for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek and not to be called according to the order of Aaron? (12) For the priestly office having been changed, of necessity a change of law also occurs. (13) For the One of whom these things are said has partaken of another tribe, from which no one has given devotion at the altar. (14) For it is clear that our Lord has risen out of Judah, as to which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. (15) And it is still more abundantly clear that if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, (16) who has not become so according to a law of a fleshly command, but according to the power of an indissoluble life. (17) For it is testified, "You are a priest to the age according to the order of Melchizedek." (Psa. 110:4) (18) For, indeed, an annulment of the preceding command comes about because of its weakness and unprofitableness. (19) For the Law perfected nothing, but a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. (20) And by how much it was not without oath-taking; (21) for they truly becoming priests are without oath-taking, but He with oath-taking, through the One saying to Him, The Lord swore, and will not care to change, "You are a priest to the age according to the order of Melchizedek;" Psalm 110:4 (22) by so much Jesus has become Surety of a better covenant. (23) And they truly are many priests, being prevented from continuing because of death; (24) but He has the priesthood not to be passed on, because of His remaining to the age. (25) And from this He is able to save to the end completely the ones drawing near to God through Him, forever living to intercede on their behalf.
Use browser "Back Arrow" or "Alt + Left_Arrow" keys to previous page. | Home
You will note the reference windows often include more than one translation of the Bible. The reason is to strive to gain the best possible understanding of the original Hebrew and Greek. Since we don't speak those languages, we rely on those who have come before and made the effort to translate those texts into English for us. Considering several translations gives the benefit of the understanding of several translation committees or individuals.
The Translations we quote are:
ALT - Analytical Literal Translation
ASV - American Standard Version (by the American revision committee in 1897).
BBE - 1965 Bible in Basic English
Bishops - 1568 Bishop's Bible
Calvin - 1856 by Calvin Translation Society
CEV - Contemporary English Version
Coverdale - 1535 Miles Coverdale Bible
Darby - 1889 Darby Bible
DRB - 1899 Douay-Rheims Bible
ESV - English Standard Version
GNB - Good News Bible
GW - God's Word Bible
ISV - International Standard Version
KJV - 1769 King James Version
KJV-1611 - Old King James Version from 1611
LitNT - Literal New Testament
LITV - Literal Translation of the Holy Bible
MKJV - 1962 Modern King James Version
Murdock - 1851 James Murdock New Testament
MWT - Modern World Translation
NWT - New World Translation
RV - Revised Version
Webster - 1833 Webster Bible
WTNT - 1525-26 William Tyndale New Testament
Wycliffe - 1394 Wycliffe Bible
YLT - 1862/1898 Young's Literal Translation
Scripture Reference Window
Browser "Back" or "Alt+Left_Arrow" to return.