Hebrews 7
The Priesthoods of Melchizedek and Christ
7For this aMelchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the bMost High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2ato whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. 3Without father, without mother, awithout genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like bthe Son of God, he remains a priest continually.
4Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the apatriarch, bgave a tenth of the spoils. 5And those indeed of athe sons of Levi, who receive the priest’s office, have a commandment 1in the Law to collect 2a tenth from the people, that is, from their brothers, although these 3are descended from Abraham. 6But the one awhose genealogy is not traced from them had bcollected 1a tenth from Abraham and 2,cblessed the one who dhad the promises. 7But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8And in this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, aof whom it is witnessed that he lives on. 9And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, 10for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
11aNow if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it bthe people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise caccording to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 12For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. 13For athe one concerning whom bthese things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord 1was adescended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. 15And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16who has become such not according to a law of 1,aphysical requirement, but according to the power of ban indestructible life. 17For it is witnessed about Him, “aYou are a priest foreverAccording to the order of Melchizedek.”
18For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment abecause of its weakness and uselessness 19(for athe Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better bhope, through which we cdraw near to God. 20And inasmuch as it was not without an oath 21(for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, “aThe 1Lord has swornAnd bwill not change His mind,‘You are a priest cforever’”);
23And 1the former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues aforever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25Therefore He is able also to asave 1forever those who bdraw near to God through Him, since He always lives to cmake intercession for them.
26For it was fitting for us to have such a ahigh priest, bholy, cinnocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and dexalted above the heavens; 27who does not need daily, like those high priests, to aoffer up sacrifices, bfirst for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did conce for all when He doffered up Himself. 28For the Law appoints men as high priests awho are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints ba Son, who has been cmade perfect forever.