Melchizedek and Abraham
(Genesis 14:17-24)

1For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, having met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and having blessed him, 2is he to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of all, first indeed being translated, “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, he remains a priest unto all time.

4Now consider how great this one was, to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the best spoils. 5And indeed, those out from the sons of Levi receiving the priestly office have a commandment to take a tenth from the people, according to the Law, that is, from their brothers, though having come out of the loin of Abraham. 6But the one not tracing his ancestry from them has collected a tenth from Abraham and has blessed the one having the promises. 7And apart from all dispute, the inferior is blessed by the superior.

8And indeed here, dying men receive tithes; but in that place, it is testified that he lives on; 9and so, to say a word, even Levi, the one receiving tithes, has been tithed through Abraham. 10For he was still in the loin of his father when Melchizedek met him.

A Superior Priesthood

11Then indeed, if perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for upon it the people had received the Law) what need was there still for another priest to arise, according to the order of Melchizedek, and not to be named according to the order of Aaron? 12For of the priesthood being changed, from necessity a change of Law also takes place.

13For he concerning whom these things are said belonged to another tribe, from which no one has served at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, a tribe as to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.

15And it is yet more abundantly evident if another priest according to the likeness of Melchizedek arises, 16who has been constituted 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 to the age,

according to the order of Melchizedek.”a

18For indeed, there is a putting away of the preceding commandment, because of its weakness and uselessness 19(for the Law perfected nothing), and the introduction of a better hope, by which we draw near to God.

20And inasmuch as it was not apart from an oath, for those ones truly are becoming priests without an oath, 21He, however, was with an oath through the One saying to Him:

“The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind,

‘You are a priest to the age.’”b

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

23And indeed those having become priests are many, because of being prevented from continuing by death. 24But because of His abiding to the age, He holds the permanent priesthood, 25wherefore also He is able to save to the uttermostc those drawing near to God through Him, always living for to intercede for them.

26For such a high priest indeed was fitting for us, holy, innocent, undefiled, having been separated from sinners, and having become higher than the heavens, 27who has no need every day, as the first high priests, to offer up sacrifices for the own sins, then for those of the people; for He did this once for all, having offered up Himself. 28For the Law appoints as high priests men having weakness; but the word of the oath, which is after the Law, a Son having been perfected to the age.