1 - 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 - 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 - 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 - And see how great this one <FI>is<Fi> , to whom also a tenth Abraham the patriarch did give out of the best of the spoils,
5 - 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 - and he who was not reckoned by genealogy of them, received tithes from Abraham, and him having the promises he hath blessed,
7 - and apart from all controversy, the less by the better is blessed--
8 - and here, indeed, men who die do receive tithes, and there <FI>he<Fi> , who is testified to that he was living,
9 - and so to speak, through Abraham even Levi who is receiving tithes, hath paid tithes,
10 - for he was yet in the loins of the father when Melchisedek met him.
11 - 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 - for the priesthood being changed, of necessity also, of the law a change doth come,
13 - for he of whom these things are said in another tribe hath had part, of whom no one gave attendance at the altar,
14 - for <FI>it is<Fi> evident that out of Judah hath arisen our Lord, in regard to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15 - And it is yet more abundantly most evident, if according to the similitude of Melchisedek there doth arise another priest,
16 - who came not according to the law of a fleshly command, but according to the power of an endless life,
17 - for He doth testify--`Thou <FI>art<Fi> a priest--to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;'
18 - for a disannulling indeed doth come of the command going before because of its weakness, and unprofitableness,
19 - (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 <FI>it is<Fi> not apart from oath, (for those indeed apart from oath are become priests,
21 - and he with an oath through Him who is saying unto him, `The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou <FI>art<Fi> a priest--to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;')
22 - by so much of a better covenant hath Jesus become surety,
23 - and those indeed are many who have become priests, because by death they are hindered from remaining;
24 - and he, because of his remaining--to the age, hath the priesthood not transient,
25 - 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 - For such a chief priest did become us--kind, harmless, undefiled, separate from the sinners, and become higher than the heavens,
27 - 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 - for the law doth appoint men chief priests, having infirmity, but the word of the oath that <FI>is<Fi> after the law <FI>appointeth<Fi> the Son--to the age having been perfected.
