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| [1]Now this Melchisedec was king of Salem, a priest of the most high God: and he met Abraham, when returning from the slaughter of the kings; and blessed him. |
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| [2]And to him Abraham imparted tithes of all that he had with him. Moreover his name is interpreted king of righteousness; and again [he is called] King of Salem, that is King of Peace. |
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| [3]Of whom neither his father nor his mother are written in the genealogies; nor the commencement of his days, nor the end of his life; but, after the likeness of the Son of God, his priesthood remaineth for ever. |
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| [4]And consider ye, how great he was; to whom the patriarch Abraham gave tithes and first-fruits. |
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| [5]For they of the sons of Levi who received the priesthood, had a statute of the law, that they should take tithes from the people; they from their brethren, because they also are of the seed of Abraham. |
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| [6]But this man, who is not enrolled in their genealogies, took tithes from Abraham; and blessed him who had received the promise. |
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| [7]But it is beyond controversy, that the inferior is blessed by his superior. |
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| [8]And here, men who die, receive the tithes; but there he of whom the scripture testifieth that he liveth. |
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| [9]And through Abraham, as one may say, even Levi who receiveth tithes, was himself tithed. |
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| [10]For he was yet in the loins of his father, when he met Melchisedec. |
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| [11]If, therefore, perfection had been by means of the priesthood of the Levites, in which the law was enjoined on the people; why was another priest required, who should stand up after the likeness of Melchisedec? For it should have said, He shall be after the likeness of Aaron. |
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| [12]But as there is a change in the priesthood, so also is there a change in the law. |
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| [13]For he of whom these things were spoken, was born of another tribe, of which no one ever ministered at the altar. |
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| [14]For it is manifest that our Lord arose from Judah, from a tribe of which Moses said nothing concerning a priesthood. |
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| [15]And moreover this is further manifest, from his saying that another priest will stand up, after the likeness of Melchisedec, |
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| [16]who was not according to the law of corporeal injunctions, but according to the energy of an indissoluble life. |
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| [17]For he testified of him: Thou art a priest for ever, after the likeness of Melchisedec. |
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| [18]And the change which was made in the first statute, was on account of its impotency, and because their was no utility in it. |
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| [19]For the law perfected nothing; but in the place of it there came in a hope, which is better than it, and by which we draw near to God. |
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| [20]And he confirmed it to us by an oath. |
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| [21]For they became priests without an oath; but this man by an oath. As he said to him by David: The Lord hath sworn, and will not lie, Thou art a priest for ever, after the likeness of Melchisedec. |
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| [22]By all this, is that a better covenant of which Jesus is the sponsor. |
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| [23]And they as priests were numerous, because they were mortal, and were not permitted to continue: |
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| [24]but this man, because he standeth up for ever, his priesthood doth not pass away: |
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| [25]and he is able to vivify for ever, them who come to God by him; for he always liveth, and sendeth up prayers for them. |
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| [26]For, a priest like to him, was also suitable for us; one pure, and without evil and without stain; one separated from sins, and exalted higher than heaven; |
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| [27]and who is not obliged, every day, like the [Aaronic] high priest, to first offer sacrifices for his own sins, and then for the people; for this he did once, by offering up himself. |
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| [28]For the law constituted feeble men priests; but the word of the oath, which was subsequent to the law [constituted] the Son perfect for ever. |
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