⁴ But see how great this man was, to whom Abraham^[a] the patriarch gave a tenth from the spoils! ⁵ And indeed those of the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a commandment to collect a tenth from the people according to the law, that is, from their brothers, although they are descended from Abraham^[b]. ⁶ But the one who did not trace his descent from them collected tithes from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. ⁷ Now without any dispute the inferior is blessed by the more prominent. ⁸ And in this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case it is testified that he lives. ⁹ And, so to speak^[c], even Levi, the one who receives tithes, has paid tithes through Abraham. ¹⁰ For he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.