7
1 For
this Melchizedek,
king of Salem,
priest of God
Most High, who
met Abraham returning
from the slaughter
of the kings
and blessed him,
2 to
whom also Abraham
divided a tenth
part of all (being
first, by
interpretation, “king of
righteousness”, and
then also “king of
Salem”, which
means “king of
peace”,
3 without father, without mother,
without genealogy, having
neither beginning of
days nor end
of life, but
made like the
Son of God),
remains a priest
continually.
4 Now
consider how great
this man was,
to whom
even Abraham the
patriarch gave a
tenth out of
the best plunder.
5 They
indeed of the
sons of Levi
who receive
the priest’s
office have a
commandment to
take tithes from
the people
according to the
law, that is,
of their brothers,
though these have
come out of
the body of Abraham,
6 but
he whose genealogy
is not counted
from them
has accepted tithes
from Abraham, and
has blessed him
who has the
promises.
7 But
without any dispute
the lesser is
blessed by the
greater.
8 Here
people who die
receive tithes,
but there one
receives tithes of
whom it is
testified that he
lives.
9 We
can say that
through Abraham even
Levi, who receives
tithes, has paid
tithes,
10 for
he was yet
in the body of
his father when
Melchizedek met
him.
11 Now
if perfection was
through the
Levitical priesthood (for
under it the
people have
received the law),
what further need
was there for
another priest
to arise after the
order of
Melchizedek, and
not be called
after the order
of Aaron?
12 For
the priesthood
being changed,
there is
of necessity a
change made also
in the law.
13 For
he of whom
these things are
said belongs to
another tribe,
from which no
one has officiated
at the altar.
14 For
it is evident
that our Lord
has sprung out of
Judah, about which
tribe Moses spoke
nothing concerning priesthood.
15 This
is yet more
abundantly evident,
if after the
likeness of
Melchizedek there arises
another priest,
16 who
has been made,
not after the
law of a fleshly
commandment, but
after the power
of an endless life;
17 for
it is testified,
“You are a
priest forever,
according to the
order of
Melchizedek.”
18 For
there is
an annulling of
a foregoing commandment
because of
its weakness and uselessness
19 (for
the law made
nothing perfect),
and a bringing
in of a
better hope,
through which we
draw near to
God.
20 Inasmuch
as he was
not made priest
without the taking
of an oath
21 (for
they indeed have
been made priests
without an oath),
but he with
an oath by
him that says
of him,
“The Lord swore
and will not
change his mind,
‘You are a
priest forever,
according to the
order of Melchizedek.’ ”
22 By
so much, Jesus
has become the
guarantee of a
better covenant.
23 Many,
indeed, have been
made priests,
because they are
hindered from
continuing by
death.
24 But
he, because he
lives forever, has
his priesthood unchangeable.
25 Therefore
he is also
able to save
to the uttermost
those who draw
near to God
through him,
seeing that he
lives forever to
make intercession
for them.
26 For
such a high priest
was fitting for
us: holy, guiltless, undefiled,
separated from sinners,
and made higher
than the heavens;
27 who doesn’t
need, like
those high priests, to
offer up
sacrifices daily,
first for his
own sins, and then
for the sins of
the people. For
he did this
once for all,
when he offered
up himself.
28 For
the law appoints
men as high priests
who have weakness,
but the word
of the oath,
which came after
the law, appoints
a Son forever
who has been
perfected.