^{1 Ref} For this Melchisedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who did meet Abraham turning back from the smiting of the kings, and did bless him,

^{2 Ref} to whom also a tenth of all did Abraham divide, (first, indeed, being interpreted, `King of righteousness,' and then also, King of Salem, which is, King of Peace,)

^{3 Ref} without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, and being made like to the Son of God, doth remain a priest continually.

^{4 Ref} And see how great this one `is', to whom also a tenth Abraham the patriarch did give out of the best of the spoils,

^{5 Ref} and those, indeed, out of the sons of Levi receiving the priesthood, a command have to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, their brethren, even though they came forth out of the loins of Abraham;

^{6 Ref} and he who was not reckoned by genealogy of them, received tithes from Abraham, and him having the promises he hath blessed,

^{7 Ref} and apart from all controversy, the less by the better is blessed --

^{8 Ref} and here, indeed, men who die do receive tithes, and there `he', who is testified to that he was living,

^{9 Ref} and so to speak, through Abraham even Levi who is receiving tithes, hath paid tithes,

^{10 Ref} for he was yet in the loins of the father when Melchisedek met him.

^{11 Ref} If indeed, then, perfection were through the Levitical priesthood -- for the people under it had received law -- what further need, according to the order of Melchisedek, for another priest to arise, and not to be called according to the order of Aaron?

^{12 Ref} for the priesthood being changed, of necessity also, of the law a change doth come,

^{13 Ref} for he of whom these things are said in another tribe hath had part, of whom no one gave attendance at the altar,

^{14 Ref} for `it is' evident that out of Judah hath arisen our Lord, in regard to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

^{15 Ref} And it is yet more abundantly most evident, if according to the similitude of Melchisedek there doth arise another priest,

^{16 Ref} who came not according to the law of a fleshly command, but according to the power of an endless life,

^{17 Ref} for He doth testify -- `Thou `art' a priest -- to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;'

^{18 Ref} for a disannulling indeed doth come of the command going before because of its weakness, and unprofitableness,

^{19 Ref} (for nothing did the law perfect) and the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw nigh to God.

²⁰ And inasmuch as `it is' not apart from oath, (for those indeed apart from oath are become priests,

^{21 Ref} and he with an oath through Him who is saying unto him, `The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou `art' a priest -- to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;')

^{22 Ref} by so much of a better covenant hath Jesus become surety,

^{23 Ref} and those indeed are many who have become priests, because by death they are hindered from remaining;

^{24 Ref} and he, because of his remaining -- to the age, hath the priesthood not transient,

^{25 Ref} whence also he is able to save to the very end, those coming through him unto God -- ever living to make intercession for them.

^{26 Ref} For such a chief priest did become us -- kind, harmless, undefiled, separate from the sinners, and become higher than the heavens,

^{27 Ref} who hath no necessity daily, as the chief priests, first for his own sins to offer up sacrifice, then for those of the people; for this he did once, having offered up himself;

^{28 Ref} for the law doth appoint men chief priests, having infirmity, but the word of the oath that `is' after the law `appointeth' the Son -- to the age having been perfected.