Hebrews 7

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 This "Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High," "met Abraham as he returned from his defeat of the kings" and "blessed him."	1 For this Melchisedech was king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him:
2 And Abraham apportioned to him "a tenth of everything." His name first means righteous king, and he was also "king of Salem," that is, king of peace.	2 To whom also Abraham divided the tithes of all: who first indeed by interpretation, is king of justice: and then also king of Salem, that is, king of peace:
3 Without father, mother, or ancestry, without beginning of days or end of life, thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.	3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but likened unto the Son of God, continueth a priest for ever.
4 See how great he is to whom the patriarch "Abraham (indeed) gave a tenth" of his spoils.	4 Now consider how great this man is, to whom also Abraham the patriarch gave tithes out of the principal things.
5 The descendants of Levi who receive the office of priesthood have a commandment according to the law to exact tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, although they also have come from the loins of Abraham.	5 And indeed they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is to say, of their brethren: though they themselves also came out of the loins of Abraham.
6 But he who was not of their ancestry received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had received the promises.	6 But he, whose pedigree is not numbered among them, received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7 Unquestionably, a lesser person is blessed by a greater.	7 And without all contradiction, that which is less, is blessed by the better.
8 In the one case, mortal men receive tithes; in the other, a man of whom it is testified that he lives on.	8 And here indeed, men that die, receive thithes: but there he hath witness, that he liveth.
9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, was tithed through Abraham,	9 And (as it may be said) even Levi who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham:
10 for he was still in his father's loins when Melchizedek met him.	10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedech met him.
11 If, then, perfection came through the levitical priesthood, on the basis of which the people received the law, what need would there still have been for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not reckoned according to the order of Aaron?	11 If then perfection was by 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 Melchisedech, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?
12 When there is a change of priesthood, there is necessarily a change of law as well.	12 For the priesthood being translated, it is necessary that a translation also be made of the law.
13 Now he of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, of which no member ever officiated at the altar.	13 For he, of whom these things are spoken, is of another tribe, of which no one attended on the altar.
14 It is clear that our Lord arose from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.	14 For it is evident that our Lord sprung out of Juda: in which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
15 It is even more obvious if another priest is raised up after the likeness of Melchizedek,	15 And it is yet far more evident: if according to the similitude of Melchisedech there ariseth another priest,
16 who has become so, not by a law expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed.	16 Who is made not according to the law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an indissoluble life:
17 For it is testified: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."	17 For he testifieth: Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech.
18 On the one hand, a former commandment is annulled because of its weakness and uselessness,	18 There is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment, because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof:
19 for the law brought nothing to perfection; on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.	19 (For the law brought nothing to perfection,) but a bringing in of a better hope, by which we draw nigh to God.
20 And to the degree that this happened not without the taking of an oath --for others became priests without an oath,	20 And inasmuch as it is not without an oath, (for the others indeed were made priests without an oath;
21 but he with an oath, through the one who said to him: "The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent: 'You are a priest forever'"--	21 But this with an oath, by him that said unto him: The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever.)
22 to that same degree has Jesus (also) become the guarantee of an (even) better covenant.	22 By so much is Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23 Those priests were many because they were prevented by death from remaining in office,	23 And the others indeed were made many priests, because by reason of death they were not suffered to continue:
24 but he, because he remains forever, has a priesthood that does not pass away.	24 But this, for that he continueth for ever, hath an everlasting priesthood,
25 Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them.	25 Whereby he is able also to save for ever them that come to God by him; always living to make intercession for us.
26 It was fitting that we should have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens.	26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 He has no need, as did the high priests, to offer sacrifice day after day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did that once for all when he offered himself.	27 Who needeth not daily (as the other priests) to offer sacrifices first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, in offering himself.
28 For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests, but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law, appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever.	28 For the law maketh men priests, who have infirmity: but the word of the oath, which was since the law, the Son who is perfected for evermore.