1 For this AGen 14:18-20; Heb 7:6Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the BMark 5:7Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, AHeb 7:6without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like BMatt 4:3; Heb 7:1, 28the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the AActs 2:29; 7:8fpatriarch, BGen 14:20gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. 5 And those indeed of ANum 18:21, 26; 2 Chr 31:4fthe sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment 1Lit according toin the Law to collect 2Or tithesa tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these 3Lit have come out of the loins ofare descended from Abraham. 6 But the one AHeb 7:3whose genealogy is not traced from them BHeb 7:1fcollected 1Or tithesa tenth from Abraham and 2Lit has blessedBHeb 7:1fblessed the one who CRom 4:13had the promises. 7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, AHeb 5:6; 6:20of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. 9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

11 AHeb 7:18f; 8:7Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it BHeb 9:6; 10:1the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise CHeb 5:6; 7:17according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. 13 For AHeb 7:14the one concerning whom BHeb 7:11these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord 1Lit has arisen fromwas ANum 24:17; Is 11:1; Mic 5:2; Matt 2:6; Rev 5:5descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. 15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of 1Lit fleshly commandment; i.e. to be a descendant of LeviAHeb 9:10physical requirement, but according to the power of BHeb 9:14an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him,

23 1Lit The greater number have become priests...The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues AIs 9:7; John 12:34; Rom 9:5; Heb 7:23f, 28forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is able also to A1 Cor 1:21save 1Or completelyforever those who BHeb 7:19draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to CRom 8:34; Heb 9:24make intercession for them.

26 For it was fitting for us to have such a AHeb 2:17high priest, B2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15holy, C1 Pet 2:22innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and DHeb 4:14exalted above the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to AHeb 5:1offer up sacrifices, BLev 9:7; Heb 5:3first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did CHeb 9:12, 28; 10:10once for all when He DEph 5:2; Heb 9:14, 28; 10:10, 12offered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests AHeb 5:2who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints BHeb 1:2a Son, CHeb 2:10made perfect forever.