The Priesthoods of Melchizedek and Christ

7 For this ^(A)Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the ^(B)Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, ^2 (C)to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. ³ Without father, without mother, ^(D)without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like ^(E)the Son of God, he remains a priest continually.

⁴ Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the ^(F)patriarch, ^(G)gave a tenth of the spoils. ⁵ And those indeed of ^(H)the sons of Levi, who receive the priest’s office, have a commandment ^[a]in the Law to collect ^[b]a tenth from the people, that is, from their brothers, although these ^[c]are descended from Abraham. ⁶ But the one ^(I)whose genealogy is not traced from them had ^(J)collected ^[d]a tenth from Abraham and ^[e](K)blessed the one who ^(L)had the promises. ⁷ But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. ⁸ And in this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, ^(M)of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. ⁹ And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, ¹⁰ for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

^11 (N)Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it ^(O)the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise ^(P)according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? ¹² For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. ¹³ For ^(Q)the one concerning whom ^(R)these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. ¹⁴ For it is evident that our Lord ^[f]was ^(S)descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. ¹⁵ And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, ¹⁶ who has become such not according to a law of ^[g](T)physical requirement, but according to the power of ^(U)an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is witnessed about Him,

¹⁸ For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment ^(W)because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹ (for ^(X)the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better ^(Y)hope, through which we ^(Z)draw near to God. ²⁰ And inasmuch as it was not without an oath ²¹ (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,

²² so much more Jesus also has become the ^(AD)guarantee of ^(AE)a better covenant.

²³ And ^[i]the former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, ²⁴ but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues ^(AF)forever, holds His priesthood permanently. ²⁵ Therefore He is able also to ^(AG)save ^[j]forever those who ^(AH)draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to ^(AI)make intercession for them.

²⁶ For it was fitting for us to have such a ^(AJ)high priest, ^(AK)holy, ^(AL)innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and ^(AM)exalted above the heavens; ²⁷ who does not need daily, like those high priests, to ^(AN)offer up sacrifices, ^(AO)first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did ^(AP)once for all when He ^(AQ)offered up Himself. ²⁸ For the Law appoints men as high priests ^(AR)who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints ^(AS)a Son, who has been ^(AT)made perfect forever.