Hebrews 7
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 being interpreted King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3without father, without mother, without table of descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life[7:3], but likened to the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
4Now consider how great this man was, to whom Abraham the patriarch also gave a tenth of the spoils.
5And they indeed that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they have come out of the loins of Abraham;
6but he whose descent is not reckoned from them has taken tithes of Abraham, and has blessed him who had the promises.
7And without any contradiction, the less is blessed by the better.
8And here indeed men who die receive tithes; but there, one of whom it is testified that he lives.
9And so to speak, Levi also, who receives tithes, has paid tithes in Abraham;
10for he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him.
11If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there that a different priest should arise, after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there comes also a change of law.
13For he of whom these things are spoken pertains to a different tribe, of which no one has given attendance at the altar.
14For it is evident that our Lord has arisen out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
15And it is yet more abundantly manifest, if after the similitude of Melchizedek there arises a different priest,
16who has been made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an indissoluble life.
17For it is testified of him: Thou art a priest forever; After the order of Melchizedek.
18For on the one hand, there is an annulling of the commandment that went before, on account of its weakness and unprofitableness,--
19for the law perfected nothing,--and on the other the bringing in of a better hope, by which we draw near to God.
20And inasmuch as it was not without an oath,--
21for they indeed were made priests without an oath, but he with an oath by him who said to him: The Lord swore and will not repent, thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek[7:21],--
22by so much has Jesus become a surety of a better covenant.
23And they indeed have been many priests, because they were hindered by death from continuing;
24but he, because he remains forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
25Whence also he is able to save to the utmost those who come to God through him, since he ever lives to intercede for them.
26For such a high priest became us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27who has not 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, in offering up himself.
28For the law makes men high priests who have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, makes the Son, who is perfected forever.