Of Melchisedec HEBREWS. and Christ things of you, and things that accompany 7 And without all contradiction thelesa salvation, though we thus speak. is blessed of the better. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget 8 And bere men that die receive tithes; your work and labour of love, which ye but there he receiveth them, of whom it have shewed toward his name, in that ye is witnessed that he liveth. have ministered to the saints, and do 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, minister. who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in 11 And we desire that every one of you Abraham. do shew the same diligence to the full as- 10. For he was yet in the loins of his fasurance of hope unto the end: ther, when Melchisedec met him. 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers 11 if therefore perfection were by the of them who through faith and patience Levitical priesthood, (for under it the inherit the promises. people received the law,) what further Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 13 For when God made promise to need was there that another priest should 14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. rise after the order of Melchisedec, and 13 For he of whom these things are 16 For men verily swear by the greater: spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of and an oath for confirmation is to them which no man gave attendance at the an end of all strife. altar. 17 Wherein God, willing more abun- 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang dantly to shew unto the heirs of promise out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake the immutability of his counsel, confirm- nothing concerning priesthood. ed it by an oath: 13 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 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 pow er of an endless life. 19 Which hope we have as an anchor 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for 20 Whither the forerunner is for us en- the commandment going before, for the tered, even Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. CHAP. VII. Melchisedec and Christ. 18 For there is verily a disannulling of 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 and will not repent, Thou art a priest King of righteousness, and after that also for ever after the order of Melchisedec :) King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 22 By so much was Jesus made a sure 3 Without father, without mother, ty of a better testament. without descent, having neither begin- 23 And they truly were many priests, ning of days, nor end of life; but made because they were not suffered to con like ante 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. tinue by reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continuet ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to savi them to the uttermost that come unto Go 5 And verily they that are of the sons by him, seeing he ever liveth to mak of Levi, who receive the office of the intercession for them. priesthood, have a commandinent to take 26 For such a high priest became u tithes of the people according to the law, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, sep that is, of their brethren, though they rate from sinners, and made higher tha come out of the loins of Abraham: the heavens; 6 But he whose descent is not counted 27 Who needeth not daily, as tho from them received tithes of Abraham, high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first fo and bleged him that hand the promises his own sins, and then for the people The eternity of CHAP. VIII, IX. Christ's priesthood For this he did once, when he offered up which decayeth and waxeth old, is ready 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. CHAP. VIII. Aaron's priesthood abolished. NOW of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have 3 such a 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 fof necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. to vanish away. CHAP. IX. Blood of Christ above all sacrifice. 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 shew-bread; which is called the Sanctuary. 3 And after the second vail, the taber. nacle 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 mercy-seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6 Now when these things were thus 4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are ordained, the priests went always into priests that offer gifts according to the blaw: 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 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: →(saith he) that thou make all things ac- 8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that cording 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: 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 a 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 a beifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of 11 And they shall not teach every man Christ, who through the eternal Spirit his neighbour, and every man his broth- offered himself without spot to God, Jer, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall purge your conscience from dead works know me, from the least to the greatest. to serve the living God? 12 For I will be merciful to their un- 15 And for this cause he is the meighteousness, and their sins and their diator of the new testament, that by niquities will I remember no more. means of death, for the redemption of 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, the transgressions that were under the he hath made the first old, Now that first testaruent, they which are called HEBREWS. Sacrifices of the law inferior to Christ's might receive the promise of eternal 5 Wherefore, when he cometh into the Inheritance. world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering 16 For where a testament is, there thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou must also of necessity be the death of prepared me : 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, 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. 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined 10 By the which will we are sanctified unto you. 21 Moreover, he sprinkled likewise through the offering of the body of Jesur Christ once for all. with blood both the tabernacle, and all 11 And every priest standeth daily 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: 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 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself make with them after those days, saith often, as the high priest entereth into the the Lord; I will put my laws into their holy place every year with blood of others; hearts, and in their minds will I write 26 For then n.ust he often have suffered them; since the foundation of the world: but 17 And their sins and iniquities will I now once in the end of the world hath remember no more. 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. CHAP. X. Christ's perfect sacrifice. 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. 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 vail, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having a high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart, in fuil 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 ow faith without wavering; for he is faithfu that promised: 24 And let us consider one another, o provoke unto love, and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. some is; but exhorting one another: 4 For it is not possible that the blood of and so much the more, as ye see the day bulls and of goats should take away sins. approaching. Of holding fast the faith. CHAP. XI What faith is 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we 5 By faith Enoch was translated, that have received the knowledge of the he should not see death; and was not truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice found, because God had translated him: for sins, for before his translation he had this tes27 But a certain fearful looking for of timony, that he pleased God. judgment and fiery indignation, which 6 But without faith it is impossible to shall devour the adversaries. please him: for he that cometh to God 28 He that despised Moses' law, died must believe that he is, and that he is without mercy under two or three a rewarder of them that diligently seek witnesses: him. 29 Of how much sorer punishment, 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, of things not seen as yet, moved with who hath trodden under foot the Son of fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his God, and hath counted the blood of the house; by the which he condemned the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, world, and became heir of the righteousan unholy thing, and hath done despite ness which is by faith. unto the Spirit of grace? 8 By faith Abraham, when he was 30 For we know him that hath said, called to go out into a place which he Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will should after receive for an inheritance, 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. 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 32 But call to remembrance the former in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the days, in which, after ye were illuminated, heirs with him of the same promise: ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 10 For he looked for a city which hath 33 Partly, while ye were made a gazing-foundations, whose builder and maker stock both by reproaches and afflictions; is God. and partly, while ye becaine companions 11 Through faith also Sarah herself reof them that were so used. ceived strength to conceive seed, and 34 For ye had compassion of me in my was delivered of a child when she was bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of past age, because she judged him faithful your goods, knowing in yourselves that who had promised. ye have in heaven a better and an en- 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, during substance. and him as good as dead, so many as the 35 Cast not away therefore your con-stars of the sky in multitude, and as the fidence, which hath great recompense sand which is by the sea-shore innu of reward. merable. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, 13 These all died in faith, not having after ye have done the will of God, ye received the promises, but having seen might receive the promise. thein afar off, and were persuaded of 37 For yet a little while, and he that them, and embraced them, and confessed shall come will come, and will not tarry. that they were strangers and pilgrims on 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but the earth. 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. CHAP. XI. Of faith, and its fruits. NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things hot seen: 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, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good 17 By faith Abraham, when he was 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. tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his onlybegotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more 19 Accounting that God was able to raise 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. 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. The fruits of faith. HEBREWS. Sundry exhortation. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was a they wandered in deserts, and in moun dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; tains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 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. 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. CHAP. XII. Exhortation to faith and patience. WHEREFORE, seeing we also are about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily the race that is set before us, 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of beset us, and let us run with patience Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and with the people of God, than to enjoy the finisher of our faith; who, for the joy pleasures of sin for a season; that was set before him, endured the 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ cross, despising the shame, and is set greater riches than the treasures in down at the right hand of the throne Egypt: for he had respect unto the re- of God. compense of the reward. 3 For consider him that endured such 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing contradiction of sinners against himself, 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 first-born should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 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 chas tening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chas 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 say more? 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 sheep-skins, and goat-skins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) teneth, 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 grievoue: 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 you 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 |