The Priesthood of Melchizedek
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 being interpreted “king of righteousness,” and then also “king of Salem,” that is, “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, he remains a priest continually.
4 Consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.
5 And indeed those of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham;
6 but this one, whose genealogy is not counted from them, received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
7 And without all dispute, the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8 And here men who die receive tithes, but there one, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.
9 And so to say, Levi also, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham,
10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
The Superiority of Melchizedek’s Priesthood
11 Now if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood, for the people received the law under it, what further need would there be that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?
12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there is also a change of law.
13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has served at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord has arisen from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,
16 who has become, not according to a law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an indestructible life.
17 For He testifies: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For there is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,
19 for the law made nothing perfect, and a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath was he made priest,
21 for those priests were made without an oath, but this with an oath by Him who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not repent, ‘You are a priest forever,’”
22 so also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
The Permanence of Jesus’ Priesthood
23 And there were many priests, because death prevented them from continuing,
24 but He, because He remains forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Therefore He is also able to save completely those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
26 For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens;
27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
28 For the law appoints men high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son, made perfect forever.
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