1 This for the Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the God of the most high, (the one having met Abraham returning from the smiting of the kings and having blessed him,
2 to whom also a tenth from of all divided Abraham,) first indeed being translated a king of righteousness, then and also a king of Salem, (which is, a king of peace,)
3 without a father, without a mother, without a genealogy, neither a beginning of days nor of life an end having, having been made like but to the son of the God, remains a priest for the continuance.
4 Consider you but, how great this, to whom even a tenth Abraham gave out of the choice spoils, the patriarch.
5 And those indeed from the sons of Levi the priesthood receiving, a commandment have to tithe the people according to the law, this is, the brethren of them, though having come out of the loins of Abraham;
6 he but not deriving an origin from them, has tithed the Abraham, and the one having the promises he has blessed.
7 Without but all contradiction, the less by the greater is blessed.
8 And here indeed tithes dying men receives; there but, being testified that he lives.
9 And so a word to speak, through Abraham even Levi the tithes receiving has been tithed;
10 yet for in the loins of the father he was, when met him the Melchizedek.
11 If indeed then perfection through the Levitical priesthood was; (the people for with her law had received;) what yet need, according to the order of Melchizedek another to arise a priest, and not according to the order of Aaron to be named?
12 Being changed for the priesthood, from necessity also of law a change occurs.
13 Concerning whom for is spoken these things, of a tribe another has been a partaker, from which no one has attended to the altar;
14 evident for, that from Juda has sprung the Lord of us, respecting which tribe nothing concerning priesthood Moses spoke.
15 And more yet evident it is, if according to the likeness of Melchizedek arises a priest another,
16 who not according to a law of a commandment fleshly has become, but according to a power of life enduring.
17 It testifies for: That thou a priest for the age according to the order of Melchizedek.
18 An abrogation indeed for takes places of a preceding commandment, on account of the her weakness and unprofitableness;
19 (nothing for perfected the law;) after introduction but of a better hope, through which we draw near to the God.
20 And in as much as not without swearing; (they indeed for without swearing are priests having become;
21 he but with swearing through the one saying to him: Swore a Lord, and not will change; Thou a priest for the age according to the order of Melchizedek;)
22 by so much better a covenant has become a surety Jesus.
23 And they indeed, many are having become priests, on account of the death to be hindered to continue;
24 he but, on account of the to continue him for the age, unchangeable he has the priesthood;
25 hence and to save for the completely is able those drawing near through him to the God, always living, in order to the interpose in behalf of them.
26 Such for to us was proper a highpriest, holy, free from sin, unstained, having been separated from the sinners, and more exalted of the heavens having become;
27 who not has every day necessity, as the highpriests, first on behalf of the own sins sacrifices to offer, then for those of the people; this for he did at once, himself offered.
28 The law for men appoints highpriests, having weakness; the word but of the swearing of that after the law, a son for to the age having been perfected.
1 Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.
2 Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything to him. He was first of all, by translation of his name, »King of Righteousness,« and then he was also ruler of Salem, which means, »King of Peace.«
3 He was without father or mother or genealogy, and neither had beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he continues as a priest forever.
4 See how great he was! Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth of the spoils.
5 The descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the Law to take tithes from the people. This is from their brothers, for these are descended from Abraham.
6 But this man does not have their genealogy. He received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
7 It is beyond dispute that the superior blesses the inferior.
8 In this instance mortal men receive tithes, in the other by the one of whom it is testified that he lives.
9 One might even say that Levi, the priest who takes the tenth from the people, gave his tenth through Abraham.
10 He was still in the loins of his ancestor not yet born when Melchizedek met him.
11 If perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood, for under it the people received the Law, what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, instead of one named after the order of Aaron?
12 The priesthood was changed, and therefore it is necessary to also change the Law.
13 The one about whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
14 It is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
15 This is clear if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,
16 He would become such, not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.
17 For it is announced: »You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.«
18 The former commandment was set aside because it was weak and useless.
19 The Law could not make anything perfect. A better hope has been provided through which we can draw near to God.
20 It was not without an oath. Others were made priest without any oath.
21 He became a priest with an oath when God said to him: »Jehovah has sworn and he will feel no regret, you are a priest forever.« (Psalm 110:4)
22 Jesus became the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 There have been many priests. This is because they have been prevented from continuing by death.
24 He continues forever and therefore has his priesthood without change.
25 He is able to save completely those who approach God through him, because he is always alive to intercede for them.
26 Such a high priest as this was suitable for us. He is holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and higher than the heavens.
27 He does not have a day-by-day need as the high priests do, first to offer up sacrifices for his own sins, then for those of the people. He sacrificed for sin once for all when he offered up himself.
28 The Law appoints men as high priests who have weakness. But the oath that came after the Law appointed the Son who is perfect forever.