1
For this aMelchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the bMost 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, awithout genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like bthe Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.
4
Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the apatriarch, bgave a tenth of the choicest spoils.
5
And those indeed of athe sons of Levi who receive the priest's office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham.
6
But the one awhose genealogy is not traced from them bcollected a tenth from Abraham and bblessed the one who chad 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, aof 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
aNow if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it bthe people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise caccording 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 athe one concerning whom bthese things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
14
For it is evident that our Lord was adescended 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 aphysical requirement, but according to the power of ban indestructible life.
17
For it is attested of Him,
1
For this aMelchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the bMost 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, awithout genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like bthe Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.
4
Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the apatriarch, bgave a tenth of the choicest spoils.
5
And those indeed of athe sons of Levi who receive the priest's office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham.
6
But the one awhose genealogy is not traced from them bcollected a tenth from Abraham and bblessed the one who chad 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, aof 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
aNow if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it bthe people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise caccording 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 athe one concerning whom bthese things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
14
For it is evident that our Lord was adescended 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 aphysical requirement, but according to the power of ban indestructible life.
17
For it is attested of Him,