NET Bible
"and in one case tithes are received by mortal men, while in the other by him who is affirmed to be alive."
— Hebrews 7:8, NET Bible
“And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.”
“And here men that die receive tithes; but there one, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. ”
“Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives.”
“And here indeed, men that die receive tithes: but there, he hath witness that he liveth.”
“Now at the present time, men over whom death has power take the tenth; but then it was taken by one of whom it is witnessed that he is living.”
“And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.”
And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have authorization according to the law to collect a tithe from the people, that is, from their fellow countrymen, although they too are descendants of Abraham.
But Melchizedek who does not share their ancestry collected a tithe from Abraham and blessed the one who possessed the promise.
Now without dispute the inferior is blessed by the superior,
and in one case tithes are received by mortal men, while in the other by him who is affirmed to be alive.
And it could be said that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid a tithe through Abraham.
For he was still in his ancestor Abraham’s loins when Melchizedek met him.
Jesus and the Priesthood of Melchizedek So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood– for on that basis the people received the law– what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron’s order?