MODERN LITERAL VERSION

7:1 For* this Melchizedek, King of Salem, priest of the Highest God, who met Abraham returning from the butcher of the kings and blessed him,
7:2 to whom Abraham also divided a tenth of all. Being first, by translation, King of righteousness and thereafter also King of Salem, which is King of peace;
7:3 he was without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made similar to the Son of God, remains a continual priest.

7:4 Now view how-great this man was, to whom even Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the spoils.
7:5 And they indeed from the sons of Levi who receive the priest's office have the commandment to take-tithes from the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, although these have come out of the hips of Abraham.
7:6 But he whose genealogy is not traced from them has taken-tithes of Abraham and has blessed him who has the promises.
7:7 But without any dispute the inferior is blessed by the better.
7:8 And men indeed receive tithes who die here, but there, it is testified that he is living.
7:9 And, so as to speak the declaration, even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid-tithes through Abraham;
7:10 for* he was still in the hips of his father, when Melchizedek met him.

7:11 Therefore if there indeed was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for the people had the law instituted upon it), what need was there still for another priest to rise up according to the order of Melchizedek and not to be named according to the order of Aaron?
7:12 For* when the priesthood is transferred, there also becomes, out of necessity, a transfer of the law.
7:13 For* he belongs to another tribe of whom these things are said, from which no one has taken-heed at the altar.
7:14 For* it is evident that our Lord has risen up out of Judah; as to which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning the priesthood.
7:15 And what we say is still even-more evident, if there stands up another priest, according to the likeness of Melchizedek,
7:16 who has become, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an indestructible life;
7:17 for* he testifies , ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.' {Ps. 110:4}
7:18 For* indeed, there becomes a nullifying of a commandment that preceded because of its weakness and unprofitableness
7:19 (for the law perfected nothing) and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we are drawing near to God.
7:20 And inasmuch as it is not without the taking of an oath for they indeed have become priests without an oath,
7:21 but he with an oath through him who says of him, ‘The Lord swore and will not regret, you are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.' {Ps. 110:4}
7:22 According to so-much more, Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better {F} covenant*.
7:23 And they have become indeed many priests in number, because they are prevented by death from remaining in office;
7:24 but because he remains forever, he has his perpetual priesthood.
7:25 Hence he is also able to completely save those who come to God through him, to this end, he is always living that he may intercede on their behalf.

7:26 For* such a high-priest is suitable for us, holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners and became exalted in the heavens;
7:27 who has no daily necessity to offer up sacrifices like the high-priests, (beforehand on behalf of their own sins), and thereafter for* those of the people; for* he did this once for all, when he offered up himself.
7:28 For* the law designates men as high-priests, who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which was after the law, appoints a Son, having been perfected forever.
{Footnotes: Heb 7:22 and throughout Hebrews: the English words, ‘covenant' and ‘testament' used by various translations are the same Greek word. The Old or New Testament is exactly the same as The Old or New Covenant. Covenant was adapted throughout the MLV because it also has a verb form. More is in the Appendix.}