Hebrews 7

1For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.

2To whom Abraham also gave a tenth of everything, first interpreted as 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 made like the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

4See how great this one was, to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the spoils.

5And indeed, those from the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law—that is, from their brothers, although they have come out from the loins of Abraham.

6but the one not reckoned by genealogy from them took tithes from Abraham and blessed the one who held the promises.

7But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.

8And here, indeed, men who die receive tithes, but there the one of whom it is testified that he lives.

9And so to speak, even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes through Abraham.

10For he was still in his father's loins when Melchizedek met him.

11If, then, perfection was through the Levitical priesthood—for under it the people have been given the law—what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek and not to be called according to the order of Aaron?

12For the priesthood's changing necessarily brings a change of the law as well.

13For the one about whom these things are said is of another tribe, from which no one has served at the altar.

14For it is evident that our Lord has arisen from Judah, the tribe about which Moses said nothing concerning priests.

15And it is even more evident if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek.

16who has not become according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of endless life.

17For testimony is given: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

18For indeed there is a setting aside of the prior commandment because of its weakness and unprofitability.

19For the law perfected nothing, but the introduction of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

20And since he did not become a priest without an oath—for those indeed have become priests without an oath—

21but he with an oath by the one saying to him, "The Lord swore and will not repent: You are a priest forever."

22To such a degree has Jesus become the surety of a better covenant.

23And indeed many have become priests, because death prevented them from continuing.

24But because he remains forever, he has an unchangeable priesthood.

25Therefore he is also able to save completely those who approach God through him, since he lives always to intercede for them.

26For such a high priest suited us: holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

27who has no daily need, as the high priests do, first to offer sacrifices for his own sins and then for those of the people—for he did this once for all when he offered himself.

28For the law appoints men with weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath after the law appoints the Son perfected forever.