But see how great this man was, to whom Abraham[a] the patriarch gave a tenth from the spoils! 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]. But the one who did not trace his descent from them collected tithes from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. Now without any dispute the inferior is blessed by the more prominent. And in this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case it is testified that he lives. 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.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 7:4 Some manuscripts have “even Abraham”
  2. Hebrews 7:5 Literally “coming forth from the loins of Abraham”
  3. Hebrews 7:9 Literally “as if to say a word”