Jesus Compared to Melchizedek

^11 (A)Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?

^7 (A)For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

²¹ I do not nullify the grace of God, for ^(A)if righteousness^[a] were through the law, ^(B)then Christ died for no purpose.

¹⁷ For it is witnessed of him,

¹⁸ For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside ^(B)because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹ (for ^(C)the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, ^(D)a better hope is introduced, through which ^(E)we draw near to God.

²¹ but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:

¹⁵ This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,

⁶ as he says also in another place,

⁹ But now that you have come to know God, or rather ^(A)to be known by God, ^(B)how can you turn back again to ^(C)the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

Christ's Sacrifice Once for All

10 For since the law has but ^(A)a shadow ^(B)of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, ^(C)it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. ² Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? ³ But ^(D)in these sacrifices ^(E)there is a reminder of sins every year. ⁴ For ^(F)it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.