1. For this "Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God," the one meeting Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, "and blessing him;"
2. to whom also Abraham "divided a tenth from all" (first being interpreted, king of righteousness; and then also king of Salem, which is, king of peace, Gen. 14:17-20
3. without father, without mother, without genealogy, nor beginning of days, nor having end of life, but having been made like the Son of God, he remains a priest in perpetuity).
4. Now behold how great this one was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils;
5. and indeed those of the sons of Levi receiving the priesthood have a command to tithe the people according to Law, (that is, from their brothers, though coming forth out of Abraham's loins),
6. but he not counting his genealogy from them has tithed Abraham, and has blessed the one having the promises.
7. But without contradiction, the lesser is blessed by the better.
8. And here dying men indeed receive tithes, but there it having been witnessed that he lives;
9. and as a word to say, through Abraham Levi also, the one receiving tithes, has been tithed.
10. For he was yet in his father's loins when Melchizedek met him.
11. Truly, then, if perfection was through the Levitical priestly office (for the people had been given Law under it), why yet was there need for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek and not to be called according to the order of Aaron?
12. For the priestly office having been changed, of necessity a change of law also occurs.
13. For the One of whom these things are said has partaken of another tribe, from which no one has given devotion at the altar.
14. For it is clear that our Lord has risen out of Judah, as to which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
15. And it is still more abundantly clear that if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,
16. who has not become so according to a law of a fleshly command, but according to the power of an indissoluble life.
17. For it is testified, "You are a priest to the age according to the order of Melchizedek." Psa. 110:4
18. For, indeed, an annulment of the preceding command comes about because of its weakness and unprofitableness.
19. For the Law perfected nothing, but a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
20. And by how much it was not without oath-taking;
21. for they truly becoming priests are without oath-taking, but He with oath-taking, through the One saying to Him, The Lord swore, and will not care to change, "You are a priest to the age according to the order of Melchizedek;" Psalm 110:4
22. by so much Jesus has become Surety of a better covenant.
23. And they truly are many priests, being prevented from continuing because of death;
24. but He has the priesthood not to be passed on, because of His remaining to the age.
25. And from this He is able to save to the end completely the ones drawing near to God through Him, forever living to intercede on their behalf.
26. For such a High Priest was fitting for us: holy, harmless, undefiled, and separated from sinners, and having become higher than the heavens;
27. who has no need, as do the high priests, to offer sacrifices day by day, first for His own sins, then for those of the people. For He did this once for all, offering up Himself.
28. For the Law makes men high priests who have infirmity, but the word of the oath-taking after the Law appoints the Son to the age, having been perfected.