1For this Melchizedek , king of Salem , priest of God Most High , who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him , 2to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all ( being first , by interpretation , King of righteousness , and then also King of Salem , which is , King of peace ; 3without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life , but made like unto the Son of God ), abideth a priest continually . 4Now consider how great this man was , unto whom Abraham, the patriarch , gave a tenth out of the chief spoils. 5And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest’ s office have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law , that is , of their brethren , though these have come out of the loins of Abraham: 6but he whose genealogy is not counted from them hath taken tithes of Abraham, and hath blessed him that hath the promises . 7But without any dispute the less is blessed of the better . 8And here men that die receive tithes ; but there one , of whom it is witnessed that he liveth . 9And , so to say , through Abraham even Levi , who receiveth tithes , hath paid tithes ; 10for he was yet in the loins of his father , when Melchizedek met him .
The Superiority of Christ's Priesthood
11Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood ( for under it hath the people received the law ), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek , and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron? 12For the priesthood being changed , there is made of necessity a change also of the law . 13For he of whom these things are said belongeth to another tribe , from which no man hath given attendance at the altar . 14For it is evident that our Lord hath sprung out of Judah ; as to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests . 15And what we say is yet more abundantly evident , if after the likeness of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest , 16who hath been made , not after the law of a carnal commandment , but after the power of an endless life : 17for it is witnessed of him , Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek . 18For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness 19( for the law made nothing perfect ), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope , through which we draw nigh unto God .
The Oath and the New Covenant
20And inasmuch as it is not without the taking of an oath 21( for they indeed have been made priests without an oath ; but he with an oath by him that saith of him , The Lord sware and will not repent himself , Thou art a priest for ever ); 22by so much also hath Jesus become the surety of a better covenant . 23And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing : 24but he , because he abideth for ever , hath his priesthood unchangeable. 25Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him , seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them .
The Perfect High Priest
26For such a high priest became us , holy , guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens ; 27who needeth not daily , like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices , first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people : for this he did once for all , when he offered up himself . 28For the law appointeth men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the oath , which was after the law , appointeth a Son , perfected for evermore.