Hebrews 7 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)

Now pause and consider how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the spoils.

Now if perfection [a perfect fellowship between God and the worshiper] had been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people were given the Law) what further need was there for another and different kind of priest to arise, one in the manner of Melchizedek, rather than one appointed to the order of Aaron?

“YOU (Christ) ARE A PRIEST FOREVER

ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”

For, on the one hand, a former commandment is cancelled because of its weakness and uselessness [because of its inability to justify the sinner before God]

“THE LORD HAS SWORN

AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND or REGRET IT,

‘YOU (Christ) ARE A PRIEST FOREVER’”).

And so [because of the oath’s greater strength and force] Jesus has become the certain guarantee of a better covenant [a more excellent and more advantageous agreement; one that will never be replaced or annulled].

The [former successive line of] priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were each prevented by death from continuing [perpetually in office];

It was fitting for us to have such a High Priest [perfectly adapted to our needs], holy, blameless, unstained [by sin], separated from sinners and exalted higher than the heavens;