Hebrews 7

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

and to whom Abraham divided a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.

Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.

Now consider how great this man was, to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the best of the spoils of war.

And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to collect tithes from the People according to the law, that is, from their brothers, although they also have come out of the loins of Abraham.

But he whose genealogy is not counted from them has taken tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.

But without any dispute, the less is blessed by the better.

And in the one case, men who die receive tithes, but in the other case, he receives them about whom it is testified that he lives.

And, so to speak, even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes through Abraham,

for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the People received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron?

For when the priesthood is changed, there is also of necessity a change in the law.

For the one whom these things are spoken about belongs to another tribe, from which no one has ever officiated at the altar.

For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe, Moses said nothing concerning priests.

And this is even clearer if another priest like Melchizedek arises,

who has been made a priest, not on the basis of a legal regulation concerning the flesh, but on the basis of the power of an endless life,

for it is testified of him: You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

For on the one hand, the former commandment is annulled because of its weakness and uselessness

(for the law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand, there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

And inasmuch as it was not without the taking of an oath

(for they indeed became priests without an oath, but he with an oath by him who says of him, The Lord swore and will not change his mind, you are a priest forever),

according to such an oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

And the former priests, on the one hand, were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,

but he, on the other hand, because he remains forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

And consequently for all time he is able to save those who draw near to God through him, because he always is alive to make intercession for them.

For it is appropriate for us to have such a high priest, one who is devout, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens,

who does not need to offer up sacrifices daily, like those high priests, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the People, for this he did once and for all when he offered up himself.

For the law appoints men as high priests who have weaknesses, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son, who has been made perfect forever.