1   For this ^note Melchi-sedec ^note was King of Salem, the Priest of the most high God, who met Abraham, as he returned from the slaughter of the Kings, and ^note blessed him:

2   To whom also Abraham gaue the tithe of all things: who first is by interpretation King of righteousnes: after that, he is also King of Salem, that is, King of peace,

Melchi-sedec. Christes euerlasting Priesthode.

3    ^noteWithout father, without mother, without kinred, and hath neither beginning of his dayes, neither ende of life: but is likened vnto the Sonne of God, and continueth a Priest for euer.

4    ^noteNowe consider how great this man was, vnto whome euen the Patriarke Abraham gaue the tithe of the spoyles.

5   For verely they which are the childr&ebar; of Leui, which receiue the office of the Priesthode, haue a ^note commaundement to take, according to the Law, tithes of the people (that is, of their bethren) though they ^note came out of þe; loynes of Abraham.

6   But he whose kindred is not co&ubar;ted among them, receiued tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

7   And ^note without all contradiction the lesse is blessed of the greater.

8   And here men that die, receiue tithes: but there he receiueth them, of whome it is witnessed, that he liueth.

9    ^noteAnd to say as the thing is, Leui also which receiueth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

10   For hee was yet in the loynes of his father Abraham, when Melchi-sedec met him.

11    ^noteIf therefore ^note perfection had bene by the Priesthoode of the Leuites (for vnder it the Lawe was established to the people) what needed it furthermore, that another Priest should rise after the order of Melchi-sedec, and not to be called after the order of Aaron?

12    ^noteFor if the Priesthood be changed, then of necessitie must there be a change of the ^note Lawe.

13   For hee of whome these things are spoken, perteineth vnto another tribe, whereof no man ^note serued at the altar.

14   For it is euident, that our Lord sprung out of Iuda, concerning the which tribe Moses spake nothing, touching the Priesthood.

15    ^noteAnd it is yet a more euident thing, because that after the similitude of Melchi-sedec, there is risen vp another Priest,

16    ^noteWhich is not made Priest after the ^note Law of the carnal commandement, but after the power of the endlesse life.

17   For hee testifieth thus, ^note Thou art a Priest for euer, after the order of Melchi-sedec. Christes euerlasting Priesthode.

18    ^noteFor the ^note commaundement that went afore, is disanulled, because of the weakenes thereof, and vnprofitablenes.

19   For the Law made nothing perfite, but the bringing in of a better hope made perfite, whereby we drawe neere vnto God.

20    ^noteAnd for as much as it is not without an othe (for these are made Priestes without an othe:

21   But this is made with an othe by him that said vnto him, ^note The Lord hath sworne, and will not repent, Thou art a Priest for euer, after the order of Melchi-sedec)

22   By so much is Iesus made a suretie of a better Testament.

23    ^noteAnd among them many were made Priests, because they were not suffered to endure, by the reason of death.

24   But this man, because hee endureth euer, hath a Priesthood, which ^note cannot passe from one to another.

25   Wherefore, hee is ^note able also perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him, seeing he euer liueth, to make intercession for them.

26    ^noteFor such an hie Priest it became vs to haue, which is holy, harmelesse, vndefiled, separate from sinners, and made hier then the heauens:

27   Which needeth not daily as those hie Priests to offer vp sacrifice, ^note first for his owne sinnes, and then for the peoples: ^note for ^note that did he ^note once, when he offered vp himselfe.

28   For the Lawe maketh men hie Priestes, which haue infirmitie: but the ^note word of the othe ^note that ^note was since the Lawe, maketh the Sonne, who is consecrated for euermore.

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