Parallel
Hebrews 7
Clementine Vulgate · Berean Standard Bible
Hic enim Melchisedech, rex Salem, sacerdos Dei summi, qui obviavit Abrahæ regresso a cæde regum, et benedixit ei :
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High (note: Genesis 14:18). He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
cui et decimas omnium divisit Abraham : primum quidem qui interpretatur rex justitiæ : deinde autem et rex Salem, quod est, rex pacis,
and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”
sine patre, sine matre, sine genealogia, neque initium dierum, neque finem vitæ habens, assimilatus autem Filio Dei, manet sacerdos in perpetuum.
Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.
Intuemini autem quantus sit hic, cui et decimas dedit de præcipuis Abraham patriarcha.
Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.
Et quidem de filiis Levi sacerdotium accipientes, mandatum habent decimas sumere a populo secundum legem, id est, a fratribus suis : quamquam et ipsi exierint de lumbis Abrahæ.
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.
Cujus autem generatio non annumeratur in eis, decimas sumpsit ab Abraham, et hunc, qui habebat repromissiones, benedixit.
But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
Sine ulla autem contradictione, quod minus est, a meliore benedicitur.
And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.
Et hic quidem, decimas morientes homines accipiunt : ibi autem contestatur, quia vivit.
In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedek, it is affirmed that he lives on.
Et (ut ita dictum sit) per Abraham, et Levi, qui decimas accepit, decimatus est :
And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham.
adhuc enim in lumbis patris erat, quando obviavit ei Melchisedech.
For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
Si ergo consummatio per sacerdotium Leviticum erat (populus enim sub ipso legem accepit) quid adhuc necessarium fuit secundum ordinem Melchisedech, alium surgere sacerdotem, et non secundum ordinem Aaron dici ?
Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?
Translato enim sacerdotio, necesse est ut et legis translatio fiat.
For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.
In quo enim hæc dicuntur, de alia tribu est, de qua nullus altari præsto fuit.
He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
Manifestum est enim quod ex Juda ortus sit Dominus noster : in qua tribu nihil de sacerdotibus Moyses locutus est.
For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.
Et amplius adhuc manifestum est : si secundum similitudinem Melchisedech exsurgat alius sacerdos,
And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
qui non secundum legem mandati carnalis factus est, sed secundum virtutem vitæ insolubilis.
one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life.
Contestatur enim : Quoniam tu es sacerdos in æternum, secundum ordinem Melchisedech.
For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek (note: Psalm 110:4).”
Reprobatio quidem fit præcedentis mandati, propter infirmitatem ejus, et inutilitatem :
So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless
nihil enim ad perfectum adduxit lex : introductio vero melioris spei, per quam proximamus ad Deum.
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
Et quantum est non sine jurejurando (alii quidem sine jurejurando sacerdotes facti sunt,
And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,
hic autem cum jurejurando per eum, qui dixit ad illum : Juravit Dominus, et non pœnitebit eum : tu es sacerdos in æternum) :
but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever (note: Psalm 110:4).’”
in tantum melioris testamenti sponsor factus est Jesus.
Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
Et alii quidem plures facti sunt sacerdotes, idcirco quod morte prohiberentur permanere :
Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
hic autem eo quod maneat in æternum, sempiternum habet sacerdotium.
But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.
Unde et salvare in perpetuum potest accedentes per semetipsum ad Deum : semper vivens ad interpellandum pro nobis.
Therefore He is able to save completely (note: Or forever) those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
Talis enim decebat ut nobis esset pontifex, sanctus, innocens, impollutus, segregatus a peccatoribus, et excelsior cælis factus :
Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
qui non habet necessitatem quotidie, quemadmodum sacerdotes, prius pro suis delictis hostias offerre, deinde pro populi : hoc enim fecit semel, seipsum offerendo.
Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.
Lex enim homines constituit sacerdotes infirmitatem habentes : sermo autem jurisjurandi, qui post legem est, Filium in æternum perfectum.
For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.