^{1 Ref} For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

^{2 Ref} to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, 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, but made like unto the Son of God), abideth a priest continually.

^{4 Ref} Now consider how great this man was, unto whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the chief spoils.

^{5 Ref} And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest's office have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though these have come out of the loins of Abraham:

^{6 Ref} but he whose genealogy is not counted from them hath taken tithes of Abraham, and hath blessed him that hath the promises.

^{7 Ref} But without any dispute the less is blessed of the better.

^{8 Ref} And here men that die receive tithes; but there one, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

^{9 Ref} And, so to say, through Abraham even Levi, who receiveth tithes, hath paid tithes;

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

^{11 Ref} Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need `was there' that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron?

^{12 Ref} For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

^{13 Ref} For he of whom these things are said belongeth to another tribe, from which no man hath given attendance at the altar.

^{14 Ref} For it is evident that our Lord hath sprung out of Judah; as to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests.

^{15 Ref} And `what we say' is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest,

^{16 Ref} who hath been made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life:

^{17 Ref} for it is witnessed `of him,' Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.