Melchizedek and Abraham

1For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, 2and blessed him, to whom also Abraham divided the tenth of all his spoils; being in the first place, by interpretation of his name, king of righteousness, and moreover king of Salem, which is king of peace; 3without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days recorded, nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, remaineth a priest continually.

4Now consider how great a man this was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5And those indeed of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment according to the law to take tithes of the people, that is, of their brethren, though they came out of the loins of Abraham: 6but he, whose pedigree is not reckoned among them, took tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7Now without all contradiction the inferior is blessed by the superior: 8besides, here men that die receive tithes; but there he of whom it is testified that he liveth. 9And (as one may say) even Levi, who receiveth tithes, paid tithes in Abraham: 10for he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

A Superior Priesthood

11Now if perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law) what farther need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchisedec, and not after the order of Aaron? 12For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change also of the law. 13Now He, of whom these things are said, is of another tribe, of which none ever attended at the altar.. 14For it is evident that our Lord sprang from Judah, as to which tribe Moses spake nothing about the priesthood. 15And it is yet more abundantly evident, that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16who is made not according to the law of a temporary command, but according to the power of an endless life.

17For He testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

18For there is indeed a disannulling of the preceding command, on account of it's weakness and unprofitableness; 19for the law made nothing perfect, but the introducing of a better hope did, by which we draw near to God. 20Moreover inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath,

21(for they indeed are become priests without the solemnity of an oath; but He with an oath, by Him who said unto Him, "The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:")

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

23And they were many priests, because they were by death hindered from continuing in their office; 24but He, because He abideth for ever, hath a priesthood that passeth not to any other: 25wherefore also He is able to save to the uttermost, those that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

26For such an high-priest was meet for us, who was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and higher than the heavens; 27who hath no need, as the Levitical high-priests had, daily to offer sacrifices first for his own sins, and then for those of the people: for this He did once for all, in offering up Himself. 28For the law appointeth men high-priests, who have infirmity; but the oath, recorded since the law, appointeth the Son to be priest for ever, being fully perfected for it.