CHAPTER 7

1 For this Melchisedec, the king of Salem, was a priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him,

2 To whom also Abraham divided the tenth of all; who is first indeed, by interpretation, called the King of righteousness, and then also the King of Salem, that is, the King of peace;

3 Without father, without mother, without kindred, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but being made like to the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

4 Now consider how great is he, to whom the patriarch Abraham gave even the tenth of the spoils.

5 And they indeed who receive the priesthood, even those who are of the sons of Levi, have a command to take the tenth, according to the law from the people, that is, from their brethren, though they have come forth from the loins of Abraham:

6 But he whose kindred is not counted from them, took the tenth from Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises:

7 And without all controversy, the less is blessed by the greater.

8 And here indeed men who die receive the tenth; but there he, of whom it is testified that he liveth;

9 And as I may so say, Levi who is wont to receive the tenth, paid the tenth in Abraham;

10 For he was as yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedec met him.

11 If then there was perfection by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what need there was still, that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and should not be called after the order of Aaron?

12 For when the priesthood is changed, there is also necessarily a change of the law.

13 Doubtless he of whom these things are said, was from another tribe, from which no one attended at the altar:

14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from the tribe of Judah, of which tribe Moses has said nothing as to the priesthood;

15 And it is still more clear, since another priest was to rise according to the order of Melchisedec;

16 Who was not made according to the law of a carnal command, but according to the power of a permanent life;

17 For he thus testifies, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec."

18 For there is an abrogation of the former command, on account of its weakness and uselessness;

19 For the law perfected nothing, but was an introduction to a better hope, by which we draw nigh to God;

20 And this is better, because it was not done without an oath:

21 For they indeed are made priests without an oath; but he with an oath by him who said to him, "Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedec."

22 Of so much a better covenant is Jesus made the surety.

23 And they indeed being many were made priests, for they were not suffered by death to continue:

24 But he, as he remains perpetually, has an unchangeable priesthood.

25 Hence he is able also to save for ever those who through him come to God, always living, that he may intercede for them.

26 For such a high priest became us, being holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and higher than the heavens;

27 Who has no need, as the priests, daily to offer sacrifices, first for their own sins, and then for the sins of the people; for this he did once when he offered up himself.

28 The law indeed makes men priests who have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the Law, the Son, made perfect for ever.