A Covenant Sealed and Jesus as Perfect Priest

1. Now those who sealed were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah, 2. Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, 3. Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah, 4. Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, 5. Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, 6. Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, 7. Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, 8. Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah. These were the priests. 9. The Levites: namely, Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel; 10. and their brothers, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, 11. Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah, 12. Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, 13. Hodiah, Bani, and Beninu. 14. The chiefs of the people: Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, 15. Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, 16. Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, 17. Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, 18. Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai, 19. Hariph, Anathoth, Nobai, 20. Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, 21. Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, 22. Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, 23. Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, 24. Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, 25. Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, 26. and Ahiah, Hanan, Anan, 27. Malluch, Harim, and Baanah. 28. The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, everyone who had knowledge, and understanding— 29. they joined with their brothers, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of Yahweh our Lord, and his ordinances and his statutes; 30. and that we would not give our daughters to the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons; 31. and if the peoples of the land bring wares or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and that we would forego the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt. 32. Also we made ordinances for ourselves, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God; 33. for the show bread, for the continual meal offering, for the continual burnt offering, for the Sabbaths, for the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God. 34. We cast lots, the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, according to our fathers’ houses, at times appointed, year by year, to burn on Yahweh our God’s altar, as it is written in the law; 35. and to bring the first fruits of our ground, and the first fruits of all fruit of all kinds of trees, year by year, to Yahweh’s house; 36. also the firstborn of our sons, and of our livestock, as it is written in the law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God; 37. and that we should bring the first fruits of our dough, our wave offerings, the fruit of all kinds of trees, and the new wine and the oil, to the priests, to the rooms of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground to the Levites; for they, the Levites, take the tithes in all the cities of our tillage. 38. The priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes. The Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the rooms, into the treasure house. 39. For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the wave offering of the grain, of the new wine, and of the oil, to the rooms, where the vessels of the sanctuary are, and the priests who minister, with the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not forsake the house of our God. 1. The princes of the people lived in Jerusalem. The rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities. 2. The people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem. 3. Now these are the chiefs of the province who lived in Jerusalem; but in the cities of Judah everyone lived in his possession in their cities: Israel, the priests, the Levites, the temple servants, and the children of Solomon’s servants. 4. Some of the children of Judah and of the children of Benjamin lived in Jerusalem. Of the children of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, of the children of Perez; 5. and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite. 6. All the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were four hundred sixty-eight valiant men. 7. These are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah. 8. After him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty-eight. 9. Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city. 10. Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, 11. Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of God’s house, 12. and their brothers who did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty-two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, 13. and his brothers, chiefs of fathers’ households, two hundred forty-two; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, 14. and their brothers, mighty men of valor, one hundred twenty-eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim. 15. Of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; 16. and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of God’s house; 17. and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. 18. All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred eighty-four. 19. Moreover the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brothers, who kept watch at the gates, were one hundred seventy-two. 20. The residue of Israel, of the priests, the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance. 21. But the temple servants lived in Ophel: and Ziha and Gishpa were over the temple servants. 22. The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the business of God’s house. 23. For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required. 24. Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people. 25. As for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah lived in Kiriath Arba and its towns, in Dibon and its towns, in Jekabzeel and its villages, 26. in Jeshua, in Moladah, Beth Pelet, 27. in Hazar Shual, in Beersheba and its towns, 28. in Ziklag, in Meconah and in its towns, 29. in En Rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth, 30. Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, Lachish and its fields, and Azekah and its towns. So they encamped from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom. 31. The children of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija, and at Bethel and its towns, 32. at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, 33. Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, 34. Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, 35. Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. 36. Of the Levites, certain divisions in Judah settled in Benjamin’s territory.

1. For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2. The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness. 3. Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself. 4. Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was. 5. So also Christ didn’t glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father.” 6. As he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 7. He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, 8. though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. 9. Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation, 10. named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. 11. About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing. 12. For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the revelations of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. 13. For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. 14. But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. 1. Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God, 2. of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3. This will we do, if God permits. 4. For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5. and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, 6. and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame. 7. For the land which has drunk the rain that comes often on it, and produces a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God; 8. but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned. 9. But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we speak like this. 10. For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them. 11. We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end, 12. that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises. 13. For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself, 14. saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 15. Thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16. For men indeed swear by a greater one, and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation. 17. In this way God, being determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; 18. that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us. 19. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil; 20. where as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. 1. For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2. to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, “king of righteousness”, and then also “king of Salem”, which means “king of peace”; 3. without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually. 4. Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the best plunder. 5. They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham, 6. but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises. 7. But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8. Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives. 9. We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes, 10. for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him. 11. Now if there were perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12. For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law. 13. For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14. For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15. This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest, 16. who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life: 17. for it is testified, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” 18. For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19. (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20. Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath 21. (for they indeed have been made priests without an oath), but he with an oath by him that says of him, “The Lord swore and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’” 22. By so much, Jesus has become the collateral of a better covenant. 23. Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death. 24. But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable. 25. Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them. 26. For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27. who doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself. 28. For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints a Son forever who has been perfected. 1. Now in the things which we are saying, the main point is this. We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2. a servant of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. 3. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 4. For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5. who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned by God when he was about to make the tabernacle, for he said, “See, you shall make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain.” 6. But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which on better promises has been given as law. 7. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8. For finding fault with them, he said, “Behold, the days come”, says the Lord, “that 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 that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they didn’t continue in my covenant, and I disregarded them,” says the Lord. 10. “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel. After those days,” says the Lord; “I will put my laws into their mind, I will also write them on their heart. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11. They will not teach every man his fellow citizen, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all will know me, from their least to their greatest. 12. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness. I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more.” 13. In that he says, “A new covenant”, he has made the first old. But that which is becoming old and grows aged is near to vanishing away.

1. Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever. 2. Give thanks to the God of gods; for his loving kindness endures forever. 3. Give thanks to the Lord of lords; for his loving kindness endures forever: 4. To him who alone does great wonders; for his loving kindness endures forever: 5. To him who by understanding made the heavens; for his loving kindness endures forever: 6. To him who spread out the earth above the waters; for his loving kindness endures forever: 7. To him who made the great lights; for his loving kindness endures forever: 8. The sun to rule by day; for his loving kindness endures forever; 9. The moon and stars to rule by night; for his loving kindness endures forever: 10. To him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn; for his loving kindness endures forever; 11. And brought out Israel from among them; for his loving kindness endures forever; 12. With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm; for his loving kindness endures forever: 13. To him who divided the Red Sea apart; for his loving kindness endures forever; 14. And made Israel to pass through the middle of it; for his loving kindness endures forever; 15. But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea; for his loving kindness endures forever: 16. To him who led his people through the wilderness; for his loving kindness endures forever: 17. To him who struck great kings; for his loving kindness endures forever; 18. And killed mighty kings; for his loving kindness endures forever: 19. Sihon king of the Amorites; for his loving kindness endures forever; 20. Og king of Bashan; for his loving kindness endures forever; 21. And gave their land as an inheritance; for his loving kindness endures forever; 22. Even a heritage to Israel his servant; for his loving kindness endures forever: 23. Who remembered us in our low estate; for his loving kindness endures forever; 24. And has delivered us from our adversaries; for his loving kindness endures forever: 25. Who gives food to every creature; for his loving kindness endures forever. 26. Oh give thanks to the God of heaven; for his loving kindness endures forever.