1For this Melchisedec , 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 gave a tenth part of all ; first being by interpretation King of righteousness , and after that also King of Salem , which is , King of peace ; 3Without father , without mother , without descent , 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 even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils . 5And verily they 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 come out of the loins of Abraham : 6But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham , and blessed him that had the promises . 7And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better . 8And here men that die receive tithes ; but there he receiveth them , of whom it is witnessed that he liveth . 9And as I may so say , Levi also , who receiveth tithes , payed tithes in Abraham . 10For he was yet in the loins of his father , when Melchisedec met him .
The Superiority of Christ's Priesthood
11If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood , ( for under it the people received the law ,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec , and not be called 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 spoken pertaineth to another tribe , of which no man gave attendance at the altar . 14For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda ; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood . 15And it is yet far more evident : for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest , 16Who is made , not after the law of a carnal commandment , but after the power of an endless life . 17For he testifieth , Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec . 18For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof . 19For the law made nothing perfect , but the bringing in of a better hope did ; by the which we draw nigh unto God .
The Oath and the New Covenant
20And in asmuch as not without an oath he was made priest : 21( For those priests were made without an oath ; but this with an oath by him that said unto him , The Lord sware and will not repent , Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec :) 22By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament . 23And they truly were many priests , because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death : 24But this man , because he continueth ever , hath an unchangeable priesthood . 25Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him , seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them .
The Perfect High Priest
26For such an high priest became us , who is holy , harmless , undefiled , separate from sinners , and made higher than the heavens ; 27Who needeth not daily , as those high priests , to offer up sacrifice , first for his own sins , and then for the people’s : for this he did once , when he offered up himself . 28For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity ; but the word of the oath , which was since the law , maketh the Son , who is consecrated for evermore .