Hebrews 7

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham as he returned from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him. Abraham also gave him a tenth of everything. His name means first “king of righteousness,” and then he is also king of Salem, which means “king of peace.” Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest continually. Consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils. Now those descendants of Levi who receive the priesthood have a commandment under the law to collect tithes from the people, that is, their brothers and sisters, although they too came from Abraham's loins. But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. And beyond all dispute, the lesser is blessed by the greater. Here, mortal human beings receive tithes, but there they are received by one of whom it is testified that he lives. And, so to speak, even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in his ancestor's loins when Melchizedek met him. Now if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood—for under it the people received the law—what further need would there be for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, rather than being named according to the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, a change in the law necessarily takes place as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, a tribe about which Moses said nothing concerning priests. And this is even more evident if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, one who has become a priest not according to a legal requirement of physical descent, but according to the power of an indestructible life. For it is testified of him, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” For the former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness, since the law made nothing perfect; but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. And this was not without an oath. The others became priests without an oath, but he became one 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.’” For this reason, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant. The others became priests in great numbers because death prevented them from continuing. But because he remains forever, he holds a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is also able to save completely those who approach God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them. For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like the high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, for he did this once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints human beings subject to weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Rights and attribution