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¹ Now this Melchisedec was king of Salem, a priest of the most high God: and he met Abraham, when returning from the slaughter of the kings; and blessed him.² And to him Abraham imparted tithes of all that he had with him. Moreover his name is interpreted king of righteousness; and again [fn] King of Salem, that is King of Peace. ³ Of whom neither his father nor his mother are written in the genealogies; nor the commencement of his days, nor the end of his life; but, after the likeness of the Son of God, his priesthood remaineth for ever.⁴ And consider ye, how great he was; to whom the patriarch Abraham gave tithes and first-fruits.⁵ For they of the sons of Levi who received the priesthood, had a statute of the law, that they should take tithes from the people; they from their brethren, because they also are of the seed of Abraham.⁶ But this man, who is not enrolled in their genealogies, took tithes from Abraham; and blessed him who had received the promise.⁷ But it is beyond controversy, that the inferior is blessed by his superior.⁸ And here, men who die, receive the tithes; but there he of whom the scripture testifieth that he liveth.⁹ And through Abraham, as one may say, even Levi who receiveth tithes, was himself tithed.¹⁰ For he was yet in the loins of his father, when he met Melchisedec.

¹¹ If, therefore, perfection had been by means of the priesthood of the Levites, in which the law was enjoined on the people; why was another priest required, who should stand up after the likeness of Melchisedec? For it should have said, He shall be after the likeness of Aaron.¹² But as there is a change in the priesthood, so also is there a change in the law.¹³ For he of whom these things were spoken, was born of another tribe, of which no one ever ministered at the altar.¹⁴ For it is manifest that our Lord arose from Judah, from a tribe of which Moses said nothing concerning a priesthood.¹⁵ And moreover this is further manifest, from his saying that another priest will stand up, after the likeness of Melchisedec,¹⁶ who was not according to the law of corporeal injunctions, but according to the energy of an indissoluble life.¹⁷ For he testified of him: Thou art a priest for ever, after the likeness of Melchisedec.¹⁸ And the change which was made in the first statute, was on account of its impotency, and because their was no utility in it.¹⁹ For the law perfected nothing; but in the place of it there came in a hope, which is better than it, and by which we draw near to God.²⁰ And he confirmed it to us by an oath.²¹ For they became priests without an oath; but this man by an oath. As he said to him by David: The Lord hath sworn, and will not lie, Thou art a priest for ever, after the likeness of Melchisedec.²² By all this, is that a better covenant of which Jesus is the sponsor.²³ And they as priests were numerous, because they were mortal, and were not permitted to continue:²⁴ but this man, because he standeth up for ever, his priesthood doth not pass away:²⁵ and he is able to vivify for ever, them who come to God by him; for he always liveth, and sendeth up prayers for them.²⁶ For, a priest like to him, was also suitable for us; one pure, and without evil and without stain; one separated from sins, and exalted higher than heaven;²⁷ and who is not obliged, every day, like the [fn] high priest, to first offer sacrifices for his own sins, and then for the people; for this he did once, by offering up himself. ²⁸ 28 For the law constituted feeble men priests; but the word of the oath, which was subsequent to the law [fn] the Son perfect for ever.