| 1 |
For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from
the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; |
| 2 |
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness,
and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; |
| 3 |
Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life;
but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. |
| 4 |
Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the
spoils. |
| 5 |
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment
to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins
of Abraham: |
| 6 |
But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had
the promises. |
| 7 |
And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. |
| 8 |
And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that
he liveth. |
| 9 |
And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. |
| 10 |
For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. |
| 11 |
If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the
law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called
after the order of Aaron? |
| 12 |
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. |
| 13 |
For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance
at the altar. |
| 14 |
For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning
priesthood. |
| 15 |
And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another
priest, |
| 16 |
Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. |
| 17 |
For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. |
| 18 |
For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness
thereof. |
| 19 |
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw
nigh unto God. |
| 20 |
And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: |
| 21 |
(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The
Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) |
| 22 |
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. |
| 23 |
And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: |
| 24 |
But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. |
| 25 |
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever
liveth to make intercession for them. |
| 26 |
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and
made higher than the heavens; |
| 27 |
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and
then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. |
| 28 |
For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since
the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. |
| |
|
| 1 |
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set
on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; |
| 2 |
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. |
| 3 |
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that
this man have somewhat also to offer. |
| 4 |
For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts
according to the law: |
| 5 |
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he
was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed
to thee in the mount. |
| 6 |
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better
covenant, which was established upon better promises. |
| 7 |
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. |
| 8 |
For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a
new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: |
| 9 |
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the
hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not,
saith the Lord. |
| 10 |
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord;
I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall
be to me a people: |
| 11 |
And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord:
for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. |
| 12 |
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember
no more. |
| 13 |
In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth
old is ready to vanish away. |
| |
|
| 1 |
Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. |
| 2 |
For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the
shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. |
| 3 |
And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; |
| 4 |
Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein
was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; |
| 5 |
And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. |
| 6 |
Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing
the service of God. |
| 7 |
But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered
for himself, and for the errors of the people: |
| 8 |
The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest,
while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: |
| 9 |
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that
could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; |
| 10 |
Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them
until the time of reformation. |
| 11 |
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle,
not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; |
| 12 |
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy
place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. |
| 13 |
For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth
to the purifying of the flesh: |
| 14 |
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without
spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? |
| 15 |
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption
of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal
inheritance. |
| 16 |
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. |
| 17 |
For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the
testator liveth. |
| 18 |
Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. |
| 19 |
For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood
of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, |
| 20 |
Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. |
| 21 |
Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. |
| 22 |
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. |
| 23 |
It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these;
but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. |
| 24 |
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true;
but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: |
| 25 |
Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every
year with blood of others; |
| 26 |
For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end
of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. |
| 27 |
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: |
| 28 |
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear
the second time without sin unto salvation. |
| |
|
| 1 |
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never
with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. |
| 2 |
For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should
have had no more conscience of sins. |
| 3 |
But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. |
| 4 |
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. |
| 5 |
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but
a body hast thou prepared me: |
| 6 |
In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. |
| 7 |
Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. |
| 8 |
Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest
not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; |
| 9 |
Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish
the second. |
| 10 |
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. |
| 11 |
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can
never take away sins: |
| 12 |
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of
God; |
| 13 |
From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. |
| 14 |
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. |
| 15 |
Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, |
| 16 |
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my
laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; |
| 17 |
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. |
| 18 |
Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. |
| 19 |
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, |
| 20 |
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his
flesh; |
| 21 |
And having an high priest over the house of God; |
| 22 |
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from
an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. |
| 23 |
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) |
| 24 |
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: |
| 25 |
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one
another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. |
| 26 |
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no
more sacrifice for sins, |
| 27 |
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. |
| 28 |
He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: |
| 29 |
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot
the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath
done despite unto the Spirit of grace? |
| 30 |
For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.
And again, The Lord shall judge his people. |
| 31 |
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. |
| 32 |
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great
fight of afflictions; |
| 33 |
Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst
ye became companions of them that were so used. |
| 34 |
For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in
yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. |
| 35 |
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. |
| 36 |
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. |
| 37 |
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. |
| 38 |
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. |
| 39 |
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the
soul. |
| |
|
| 1 |
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. |
| 2 |
For by it the elders obtained a good report. |
| 3 |
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which
are seen were not made of things which do appear. |
| 4 |
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness
that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. |
| 5 |
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated
him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. |
| 6 |
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he
is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. |
| 7 |
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to
the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by
faith. |
| 8 |
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an
inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. |
| 9 |
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with
Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: |
| 10 |
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. |
| 11 |
Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child
when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. |
| 12 |
Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in
multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. |
| 13 |
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were
persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. |
| 14 |
For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. |
| 15 |
And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had
opportunity to have returned. |
| 16 |
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called
their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. |
| 17 |
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered
up his only begotten son, |
| 18 |
Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: |
| 19 |
Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him
in a figure. |
| 20 |
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. |
| 21 |
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon
the top of his staff. |
| 22 |
By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave
commandment concerning his bones. |
| 23 |
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a
proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. |
| 24 |
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; |
| 25 |
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin
for a season; |
| 26 |
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect
unto the recompence of the reward. |
| 27 |
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who
is invisible. |
| 28 |
Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn
should touch them. |
| 29 |
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were
drowned. |
| 30 |
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. |
| 31 |
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies
with peace. |
| 32 |
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson,
and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: |
| 33 |
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths
of lions. |
| 34 |
Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong,
waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. |
| 35 |
Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance;
that they might obtain a better resurrection: |
| 36 |
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: |
| 37 |
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered
about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; |
| 38 |
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and
caves of the earth. |
| 39 |
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: |
| 40 |
God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. |
| |
|
| 1 |
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside
every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before
us, |
| 2 |
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. |
| 3 |
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied
and faint in your minds. |
| 4 |
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. |
| 5 |
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise
not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: |
| 6 |
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. |
| 7 |
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth
not? |
| 8 |
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. |
| 9 |
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall
we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? |
| 10 |
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that
we might be partakers of his holiness. |
| 11 |
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it
yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. |
| 12 |
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; |
| 13 |
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let
it rather be healed. |
| 14 |
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: |
| 15 |
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing
up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; |
| 16 |
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. |
| 17 |
For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for
he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. |
| 18 |
For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness,
and darkness, and tempest, |
| 19 |
And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the
word should not be spoken to them any more: |
| 20 |
(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain,
it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: |
| 21 |
And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) |
| 22 |
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and
to an innumerable company of angels, |
| 23 |
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the
Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, |
| 24 |
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better
things that that of Abel. |
| 25 |
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on
earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: |
| 26 |
Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the
earth only, but also heaven. |
| 27 |
And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things
that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. |
| 28 |
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve
God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: |
| 29 |
For our God is a consuming fire. |
| |
|
| 1 |
Let brotherly love continue. |
| 2 |
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. |
| 3 |
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves
also in the body. |
| 4 |
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. |
| 5 |
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he
hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. |
| 6 |
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. |
| 7 |
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith
follow, considering the end of their conversation. |
| 8 |
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. |
| 9 |
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be
established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. |
| 10 |
We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. |
| 11 |
For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for
sin, are burned without the camp. |
| 12 |
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the
gate. |
| 13 |
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. |
| 14 |
For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. |
| 15 |
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of
our lips giving thanks to his name. |
| 16 |
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. |
| 17 |
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as
they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. |
| 18 |
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. |
| 19 |
But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. |
| 20 |
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the
sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, |
| 21 |
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in
his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. |
| 22 |
And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you
in few words. |
| 23 |
Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. |
| 24 |
Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. |
| 25 |
Grace be with you all. Amen. |