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¹ FOR this Mel-chis''e-dec was king of Sa lem, the priest of the most high God, who met A''bra-ham, returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;² And to whom A''bra-ham also set aside a tenth part from the choice things he had with him. His name is interpreted King of righteousness, and again, King of Salem, which means King of peace.³ Neither his father nor his mother is recorded in the genealogies; and neither the beginning of his days nor the end of his life; but, like the Son of God, his priesthood abides for ever.⁴ Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave tithes and paid head tax.⁵ For those sons of Levi who received the office of the priesthood, were authorized by law to take tithes from the people; even from their own brethren who also had come out of the loins of Abraham.⁶ But this man who is not recorded in their genealogies took tithes even from Abraham, and blessed him who had received the promises.⁷ Beyond dispute: he who was less was blessed by him who was greater than himself.⁸ And here mortal men receive tithes; but there he, of whom the scripture testifies that he lives, receives them.⁹ Speaking as a man, through A''bra-ham, even Levi who received tithes, also gave tithes.¹⁰ For he was yet in the loins of his forefather Abraham, when Mel-chis''e-dec met him.

¹¹ If therefore perfection had been reached by the Le-vit''ic-al priesthood, by which the law was enacted for the people, what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Mel-chis''e-dec? Otherwise, the scriptures would have said, that he would be after the order of Aaron.¹² Since there was a change in the priesthood, so also there was a change in the law.¹³ For he, concerning whom these things are spoken, was born of another tribe, from which no man ever ministered at the altar.¹⁴ For it is evident that our LORD sprang out of Juda, of which tribe Moses said nothing concerning the priesthood.¹⁵ And yet, it is far more evident because he said that another priest would rise after the order of Mel-chis''e-dec,¹⁶ One who was not appointed after the law of carnal commandments, but after the power of life which abides for ever.¹⁷ For he testified concerning him, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchis''e- dec.¹⁸ For the change which took place in the former law, was made on account of its weaknesses, and because it had become useless.¹⁹ For the law made nothing perfect, but there has come in its place a better hope, by which we draw near to God.²⁰ And he confirmed it for us by oath.²¹ For they were made priests without oaths; but this one was made a priest with an oath, as it was said concerning him by David, The LORD has sworn, and will not lie, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Mel-chis''edec.²² All these things make a better covenant because Jesus is its surety.²³ And these priests were many, because they were mortal, and they were not permitted to continue because of death:²⁴ But this man, because he is immortal, has a priesthood which remains for ever.²⁵ Therefore he is able to forever save those who come to God by him because forever he lives to make intercession for them.²⁶ For this is the kind of high priest proper for us; pure, without evil, and undefiled, far away from sin, and made higher than the heavens;²⁷ And who needs not daily, as do those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for their own sins, and then for the people''s, for this he did once when he offered up himself.²⁸ For the law appoints imperfect men priests; but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints the Son who is perfect for evermore.