Hebrews 7:1-21

BLB^{(i) 1} For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, having met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and having blessed him, ² is he to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of all, first indeed being translated, “king of righteousness;” and then also, “king of Salem,” which is, “king of peace.” ³ Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but having been made like the Son of God, he remains a priest unto all time. ⁴ Now consider how great this one was, to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the best spoils. ⁵ And indeed, those out from the sons of Levi receiving the priestly office have a commandment to take a tenth from the people, according to the Law, that is, from their brothers, though having come out of the loin of Abraham. ⁶ But the one not tracing his ancestry from them has collected a tenth from Abraham and has blessed the one having the promises. ⁷ And apart from all dispute, the inferior is blessed by the superior. ⁸ And indeed here, dying men receive tithes; but in that place, it is testified that he lives on; ⁹ and so, to say a word, even Levi, the one receiving tithes, has been tithed through Abraham. ¹⁰ For he was still in the loin of his father when Melchizedek met him. ¹¹ Then indeed, if perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for upon it the people had received the Law) what need was there still for another priest to arise, according to the order of Melchizedek, and not to be named according to the order of Aaron? ¹² For of the priesthood being changed, from necessity a change of Law also takes place. ¹³ For he concerning whom these things are said belonged to another tribe, from which no one has served at the altar. ¹⁴ For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, a tribe as to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. ¹⁵ And it is yet more abundantly evident if another priest according to the likeness of Melchizedek arises, ¹⁶ who has been constituted not according to a law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is testified: “You are a priest to the age, according to the order of Melchizedek.” ¹⁸ For indeed, there is a putting away of the preceding commandment, because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹ (for the Law perfected nothing), and the introduction of a better hope, by which we draw near to God. ²⁰ And inasmuch as it was not apart from an oath, for those ones truly are becoming priests without an oath, ²¹ He, however, was with an oath through the One saying to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest to the age.’”