¹⁷ For it is declared:

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

⁶ And he says in another place,

²⁰ where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.^(A) He has become a high priest^(B) forever, in the order of Melchizedek.^(C)

Melchizedek the Priest

7 This Melchizedek was king of Salem^(D) and priest of God Most High.^(E) He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,^{(F) 2} and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” ³ Without father or mother, without genealogy,^(G) without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God,^(H) he remains a priest forever.

²⁸ For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness;^(A) but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son,^(B) who has been made perfect^(C) forever.

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?

¹⁸ Then Melchizedek^(A) king of Salem^(B) brought out bread^(C) and wine.^(D) He was priest of God Most High,^(E)