Hebrews 7

1For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

2to whom Abraham also apportioned a tenth of everything. First, his name is translated King of Righteousness, and then also King of Salem, that is, King of Peace.

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

4Consider how great this man was, to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils.

5And those from the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a commandment according to the law to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they also have come from Abraham’s loins.

6But the one who is not traced by genealogy from them has taken a tenth from Abraham and has blessed the one who had the promises.

7Beyond all dispute, the lesser is blessed by the greater.

8And here mortal men receive tithes, but there he is testified to be living.

9And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,

10For he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

11If perfection had been through the Levitical priesthood—for on its basis the people had received the law—what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek and not be spoken of according to the order of Aaron?

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

13For the one about whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has served at the altar.

14For it is evident that our Lord has arisen from Judah, a tribe about which Moses said nothing concerning priests.

15And it is even more evident, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,

16who has become such not according to a law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an indestructible life,

17For it is testified: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

18For there is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness,

19For the law perfected nothing, but there is the introduction of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

20And inasmuch as this was not without an oath (for they indeed have become priests without an oath,

21but this one became a priest with an oath through the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’”

22By so much, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.

23And they indeed have become many priests, because they are prevented by death from remaining in office,

24But he, because he remains forever, holds the priesthood permanently.

25Therefore he is also able to save completely those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.

26For such a high priest was indeed fitting for us: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and having become higher than the heavens.

27who has no need, day after day, like the high priests, to offer up sacrifices first for his own sins and then for those of the people, for this he did once for all when he offered up himself.

28For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son who has been perfected forever.