1   For this ^note Melchizedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

2   To 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;

3   Without father, without mother, ^note without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like to the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

4   Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

5   And verily ^note they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they come from the loins of Abraham:

6   But he whose ^note descent is not counted from them received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

7   And without all contradiction the less is blessed by the better.

8   And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is testified that he liveth.

9   And as I may say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

10   For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedec met him.

11   If 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 Melchizedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

12   For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

13   For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

14   For it is evident that our Lord sprang from Judah; of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

15   And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedec there ariseth another priest,

16   Who is made, not after the law of

A. D. 64. a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

17   For he testifieth, ^note Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedec.

18   For there is verily a disannulling of the preceding commandment on account of its weakness and unprofitableness.

19   For the law made nothing perfect, ^note but the introduction of a better hope did; by which we draw nigh to God.

20   And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

21   (For those priests were made ^note without an oath; but this with an oath, by him that said to him, ^note The Lord swore, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedec:)

22   By so much was Jesus made a ^note surety of a better testament.

23   And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

24   But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an ^note unchangeable priesthood.

25   Wherefore he is able also to save them ^note to the uttermost that come to God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

26   For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

27   Who needeth not daily, as ^note 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.

28   For the law maketh men high priests who have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, maketh the Son, who is ^note consecrated for evermore.

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