Melchizedek and Abraham

(Genesis 14:17-24)

1For this Melchisedec, King of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from smiting the kings, and blessed him; 2to whom Abraham gave also the tenth portion of all; first being interpreted King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is King of peace; 3without father, without mother, without genealogy; having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but assimilated to the Son of God, abides a priest continually.

4Now consider how great this [personage] was, to whom [even] the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth out of the spoils. 5And they indeed from among the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is from their brethren, though these are come out of the loins of Abraham: 6but he who has no genealogy from them has tithed Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises. 7But beyond all gainsaying, the inferior is blessed by the better. 8And here dying men receive tithes; but there [one] of whom the witness is that he lives; 9and, so to speak, through Abraham, Levi also, who received tithes, has been made to pay tithes. 10For he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedec met him.

Jesus a Priest Like Melchizedek

11If indeed then perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, for the people had their law given to them in connexion with it, what need [was there] still that a different priest should arise according to the order of Melchisedec, and not be named after the order of Aaron? 12For, the priesthood being changed, there takes place of necessity a change of law also. 13For he, of whom these things are said, belongs to a different tribe, of which no one has [ever] been attached to the service of the altar. 14For it is clear that our Lord has sprung out of Juda, as to which tribe Moses spake nothing as to priests. 15And it is yet more abundantly evident, since a different priest arises according to the similitude of Melchisedec, 16who has been constituted not according to law of fleshly commandment, but according to power of indissoluble life.

17For it is borne witness, Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec.

18For there is a setting aside of the commandment going before for its weakness and unprofitableness, 19(for the law perfected nothing,) and the introduction of a better hope by which we draw nigh to God. 20And by how much [it was] not without the swearing of an oath;

21(for they are become priests without the swearing of an oath, but he with the swearing of an oath, by him who said, as to him, The Lord has sworn, and will not repent [of it], Thou [art] priest for ever [according to the order of Melchisedec];)

22by so much Jesus became surety of a better covenant.

23And they have been many priests, on account of being hindered from continuing by death; 24but he, because of his continuing for ever, has the priesthood unchangeable. 25Whence also he is able to save completely those who approach by him to God, always living to intercede for them.

26For such a high priest became us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and become higher than the heavens: 27who has not day by day need, as the high priests, first to offer up sacrifices for his own sins, then [for] those of the people; for this he did once for all [in] having offered up himself. 28For the law constitutes men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the swearing of the oath which [is] after the law, a Son perfected for ever.