1 F or 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 t o 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 w ithout 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 A nd see how great this one, to whom also a tenth Abraham the patriarch did give out of the best of the spoils,

5 a nd 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 a nd he who was not reckoned by genealogy of them, received tithes from Abraham, and him having the promises he hath blessed,

7 a nd apart from all controversy, the less by the better is blessed --

8 a nd here, indeed, men who die do receive tithes, and there, who is testified to that he was living,

9 a nd so to speak, through Abraham even Levi who is receiving tithes, hath paid tithes,

10 f or he was yet in the loins of the father when Melchisedek met him.

11 I f 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 f or the priesthood being changed, of necessity also, of the law a change doth come,

13 f or he of whom these things are said in another tribe hath had part, of whom no one gave attendance at the altar,

14 f or evident that out of Judah hath arisen our Lord, in regard to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

15 A nd it is yet more abundantly most evident, if according to the similitude of Melchisedek there doth arise another priest,

16 w ho came not according to the law of a fleshly command, but according to the power of an endless life,

17 f or He doth testify -- `Thou a priest -- to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;'

18 f or 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 A nd inasmuch as not apart from oath, (for those indeed apart from oath are become priests,

21 a nd he with an oath through Him who is saying unto him, `The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou a priest -- to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;')

22 b y so much of a better covenant hath Jesus become surety,

23 a nd those indeed are many who have become priests, because by death they are hindered from remaining;

24 a nd he, because of his remaining -- to the age, hath the priesthood not transient,

25 w hence also he is able to save to the very end, those coming through him unto God -- ever living to make intercession for them.

26 F or such a chief priest did become us -- kind, harmless, undefiled, separate from the sinners, and become higher than the heavens,

27 w ho 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 f or the law doth appoint men chief priests, having infirmity, but the word of the oath that after the law the Son -- to the age having been perfected.