Hebrews 7

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham as he returned from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, [a] 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of everything — first, by translation, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace; [b] 3 without father, without mother, without a family line, having neither a beginning of days nor an end of life, but made like the Son of God — he remains a priest without a break. [c]

4 See how great this man is, to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the best of the spoils. [d] 5 And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command to take a tenth from the people according to the law — that is, from their brothers, though these also have come out of Abraham’s loins. [e] 6 But this man, who does not trace his line from them, has taken a tenth from Abraham, and has blessed the one who holds the promises. 7 And beyond all dispute, the lesser is blessed by the better. [f] 8 And here it is dying men who receive tenths, but there one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 And, so to speak, even Levi, who receives tenths, has paid a tenth through Abraham, 10 for he was still in his father’s loins when Melchizedek met him.

11 Now if completion had come through the Levitical priesthood — for on the basis of it the people has been given the law — what further need was there for a different priest to arise in the order of Melchizedek, and not to be spoken of in the order of Aaron? [g] 12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity a change of law comes with it. 13 For the one about whom these things are said belongs to a different tribe, from which no one has attended at the altar. 14 For it is plain that our Lord has risen out of Judah, a tribe about which Moses said nothing concerning priests. [h]

15 And it is clearer still if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become so, not according to a law of a command about flesh, but according to the power of an indestructible life; [i] 17 for it is testified, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” [j] 18 For a setting aside of the former command takes place because of its weakness and uselessness — 19 for the law brought nothing to completion — and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. [k]

20 And in the degree that it was not without the swearing of an oath — for those men have become priests without any swearing of an oath, 21 but this one with an oath, through the one who said to him, “The Lord swore and will not change his mind: You are a priest forever” — [l] 22 by so much has Jesus become the guarantee of a better covenant. [m]

23 And those who have become priests are many in number, because death kept them from continuing; 24 but he, because he remains forever, holds a priesthood that does not pass to another. [n] 25 And so he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to appeal on their behalf. [o]

26 For such a chief priest was indeed fitting for us: holy, without evil, undefiled, separated from sinners, and become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need, as the chief priests do, to bring up sacrifices day by day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people — for this he did once for all when he brought up himself. [p] 28 For the law appoints as chief priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son, brought to completion forever. [q]