Book of Common Prayer

¹⁸ So then, the previous commandment is abrogated, because of its weakness and unprofitableness. ¹⁹ For the law made nothing perfect, but was a preparation for a better hope, by which hope we draw near to God.

²⁰ And it is a better hope in that it was not promised without an oath. ²¹ Those priests were made without an oath, but this priest with an oath, by him that said to him: The Lord swore and will not repent: You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. ²² And thus did Jesus establish and secure a better testament.

²³ And among the Levites many were made priests, because they were prevented from continuing by death. ²⁴ But this man, because he endures forever, has an everlasting priesthood. ²⁵ Therefore he is able also to save to all eternity those who come to God by him, seeing he lives eternally to make intercession for us.

²⁶ Such a high priest it behoved us to have, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than heaven; ²⁷ who does not need (like those high priests) daily to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins and then for the people’s sins. For Jesus did that once and for all when he offered up himself. ²⁸ For the law makes priests of men who have infirmity, but the word of the oath that came since the law makes the Son priest, who is perfect forevermore.

²⁵ And a certain doctor of the law stood up and tested him, saying, Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? ²⁶ Jesus said to him, What is written in the law? How do you read it? ²⁷ And he answered and said, Love your Lord God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.

²⁸ And Jesus said to him, You have answered right. This do, and you shall live. ²⁹ But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, Who then is my neighbour?

³⁰ Jesus answered and said, A certain man descended from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of thieves who robbed him of his clothing and wounded him, and departed leaving him half dead. ³¹ And by chance there came a certain priest that same way. And when he saw him, he passed by. ³² And likewise a Levite, when he came near to the place, went and looked on him, and passed by. ³³ Then a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came near to him, and when he saw him had compassion on him, ³⁴ and went and bound up his wounds, and poured in oil and wine. And he put him on his own animal and brought him to a common inn, and made provision for him. ³⁵ And when he departed the next day, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said to him, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come back, I will recompense you. ³⁶ Which now of these three do you think was neighbour to the man that fell into the thieves’ hands?

³⁷ And the doctor of law said, He that showed mercy on him.

Then Jesus said to him, Go then and do likewise.