⁷ Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. ⁸ Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, ^(A)of whom it is witnessed that he lives. ⁹ Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, ¹⁰ for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

Need for a New Priesthood^(B)

^11 (C)Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? ¹² For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. ¹³ For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has ^[a]officiated at the altar.

¹⁴ For it is evident that ^(D)our Lord arose from ^(E)Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning ^[b]priesthood. ¹⁵ And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest ¹⁶ who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. ¹⁷ For ^[c]He testifies:

¹⁸ For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of ^(G)its weakness and unprofitableness, ¹⁹ for ^(H)the law made nothing ^[d]perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of ^(I)a better hope, through which ^(J)we draw near to God.

Greatness of the New Priest

²⁰ And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath ²¹ (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

²² by so much more Jesus has become a ^[f]surety of a ^(L)better covenant.

²³ Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. ²⁴ But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. ²⁵ Therefore He is also ^(M)able to save ^[g]to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives ^(N)to make intercession for them.

²⁶ For such a High Priest was fitting for us, ^(O)who is holy, ^[h]harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, ^(P)and has become higher than the heavens;