1 For this :Melchizedek, king of Salēm, priest of the Most High :God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham divided a tenth of all (being first, by interpretation, King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3 fatherless, motherless, pedigreeless, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of :God), abideth a priest :continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the chief spoils. 5 And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest’s office have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their :brethren, though these have come out of the loin of Abraham: 6 but he whose genealogy is not counted from them hath tithed Abraham, and hath blessed him that hath the promises. 7 But without any dispute the less is blessed of the better. 8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there one, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And, so to speak, through Abraham Levi also, who receiveth tithes, hath paid tithes; 10 for he was yet in the loin of his :father, when Melchizedek met him. 11 Now, therefore, if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need that another priest arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity a change is made also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are said hath partaken of another tribe, from which no one hath given attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our :Lord hath sprung out of Judah; as to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests. 15 And this is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek another priest ariseth, 16 who hath been made, not after a law of carnal commandment, but after the power of a life indissoluble: 17 for it is witnessed, [that]
Thou art priest unto the age
After the order of Melchizedek.
18 For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its :weakness and unprofitableness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw nigh to :God. 20 And inasmuch as it is not without an oath 21 (for they indeed have become priests without an oath; but he with an oath through him that saith unto him,
The Lord sware and will not repent himself,
Thou art a priest unto the age;)
22 by so much also hath Jesus become surety of a better covenant. 23 And they indeed have become priests more in number, because that by :death they are hindered from continuing on: 24 but he, because he continueth unto the age, hath his :priesthood †unchangeable. 25 Whence also he is able to save to the uttermost them that approach :God through him, he ever living to make intercession for them. 26 For such a high priest also became us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from :sinners, and become higher than the heavens; 27 who hath no need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own :sins, and then for those of the people: for this he did once for all, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appointeth as high priests men having infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, appointeth a Son, perfected unto the age.
