1For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, having met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, also blessed him. 2To whom also Abraham divided a tenth of all. Being actually translated, first, king of righteousness, and then also, king of Salem, which is king of peace, 3without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but having been made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. 4And notice how great this man was, to whom also the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth out of the best spoils. 5Now indeed those of the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have commandment to collect tithes from the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, although having come out of the loins of Abraham. 6But the man who did not descend from them has received tithes from Abraham, and has blessed the man having the promises. 7And without all contradiction the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8And here indeed, men who die receive tithes, but there, he who is testified about that he lives. 9And, so to speak, Levi also, the man who receives tithes, has paid tithes through Abraham, 10for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. 11If indeed therefore perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people had received the law), what further need is there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated 12For the priesthood being changed, of necessity a change of law also occurs. 13For he of whom these things are spoken pertains to another tribe, from which no man has attended to the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord arose out of Judah, regarding which tribe Moses spoke nothing about the priesthood. 15And it is still far more evident, if according to the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest, 16who has become, not according to a law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an indestructible life. 17For he testifies, Thou are a priest into the age according to the order of Melchizedek. 18For indeed there becomes an annulment of a preceding commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19(for the law made nothing fully perfect), and an introduction of a better hope, through which we approach God. 20And inasmuch as it is not without an oath. For actually those who become priests are so without an oath, 21but he with an oath, because of him who says to him, The Lord swore and will not change his mind, Thou are a priest into the age according to the order of Melchizedek. 22By so much, Jesus has become the surety of a better covenant. 23And of course those who have become priests are more, because of being prevented to continue by death, 24but he, because of his remaining into the age, has the priesthood unchangeable. 25Whereupon he is able also to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him, being always alive in order to intercede on their behalf. 26For such a high priest is fitting for us, devout, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and having become higher than the heavens. 27Who has no need to offer up sacrifices each day, as those high priests, first for his own sins, then for those of the people, for this he did, once, when he offered up himself. 28For the law appoints men high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath after the law, a Son who has been fully perfected into the age.