Melchizedek and Abraham

1For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him, 2to 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; 3without 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.

4Now consider how great this man was, to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the chief spoils. 5And 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); 6but he whose genealogy is not reckoned from them has taken tithes of Abraham, and has blessed him who had the promises. 7And, without any dispute, the less is blessed by the better. 8And here, indeed, men who die receive tithes; but there, one received them who receives witness that he lives. 9And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who takes tithes, has paid tithes; 10for he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him.

A Superior Priesthood

11If, 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? 12For, the priesthood being changed, there is made, of necessity, a change of law also. 13For He of Whom these things are spoken hath taken part in a different tribe from which no one gave attendance at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord hath sprung out of Judah, respecting which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests. 15And it is yet far more evident; if, according to the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another Priest, 16Who hath been made Priest, not according to a law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an endless life;

17for it is testified of Him, "Thou art a Priest forever according to the rank of Melchizedek."

18For there is verily an annulling of a previous commandment, on account of its weakness and unprofitableness 19(for the law perfected nothing), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20And inasmuch as it was not without the taking of an oath

21(for they, indeed, have been made priests without an oath; but He with an oath through Him Who said to Him, "The Lord swore, and will not repent, Thou art a Priest forever");

22by so much also hath Jesus become the surety of a better covenant.

23And they, indeed, have been made priests many in number, because by death they are hindered from continuing; 24but He, because of His abiding forever, hath His priesthood unchangeable. 25Whence also He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, since He is ever living to intercede in their behalf.

26For such a High Priest was befitting us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27Who hath no necessity daily, as the 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); 28for the law constitutes men high priests who have infirmity, but the word of the oath, which was after the law, constitutes the Son perfected forever.