Hebrews 8:4

8:4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer ¹  the gifts prescribed by the law.

Hebrews 8:6

8:6 But ²  now Jesus ³  has obtained a superior ministry, since ⁴  the covenant that he mediates is also better and is enacted ⁵  on better promises. ⁶ 

¹ tn Grk “there are those who offer.”

² sn The Greek text indicates a contrast between vv. 4-5 and v. 6 that is difficult to render in English: Jesus’ status in the old order of priests (vv. 4-5) versus his superior ministry (v. 6).

³ tn Grk “he”; in the translation the referent (Jesus) has been specified for clarity.

⁴ tn Grk “to the degree that.”

⁵ tn Grk “which is enacted.”

⁶ sn This linkage of the change in priesthood with a change in the law or the covenant goes back to Heb 7:12, 22 and is picked up again in Heb 9:6-15 and 10:1-18.