Hebrews 7:1-14 ▼

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him,

2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of all (first, indeed, interpreted as "King of Righteousness," and then also "King of Salem"?which is king of peace;

3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like to the Son of God), abides a priest continually.

4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the chief spoils.

5 And those, indeed, from among the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, (though having come out of the loins of Abraham);

6 but he whose genealogy is not reckoned from them has taken tithes of Abraham, and has blessed him who had the promises.

7 And, without any dispute, the less is blessed by the better.

8 And here, indeed, men who die receive tithes; but there, one received them who receives witness that he lives.

9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who takes tithes, has paid tithes;

10 for he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him.

11 If, therefore, there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there , that another Priest should arise according to the rank of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned according to the rank of Aaron?

12 For, the priesthood being changed, there is made, of necessity, a change of law also.

13 For He of Whom these things are spoken hath taken part in a different tribe from which no one gave attendance at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord hath sprung out of Judah, respecting which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests.