Jesus Like Melchizedek

¹¹ If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people^(A) established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come,^(B) one in the order of Melchizedek,^(C) not in the order of Aaron?

⁷ For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.^(A)

²¹ I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law,^(A) Christ died for nothing!”^[a]

¹⁷ For it is declared:

¹⁸ The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless^{(B) 19} (for the law made nothing perfect),^(C) and a better hope^(D) is introduced, by which we draw near to God.^(E)

²¹ but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:

¹⁵ And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,

⁶ And he says in another place,

⁹ But now that you know God—or rather are known by God^(A)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces^[a]? Do you wish to be enslaved^(B) by them all over again?^(C)

¹³ By calling this covenant “new,”^(G) he has made the first one obsolete;^(H) and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.