1ForthisMelchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most highGod, whometAbrahamreturningfrom the slaughter of the kings, andblessedhim;
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To whomalsoAbrahamgave a tenth partofall; first being by interpretationKingofrighteousness, and after thatalsoKingofSalem, which is, Kingofpeace;
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Without father, without mother, without descent, havingneitherbeginning of days, norend of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priestcontinually.
4Nowconsider how great this man was, unto whomeven the patriarchAbrahamgave the tenthof the spoils.
5Andverily they that are of the sonsofLevi, whoreceive the office of the priesthood, have a commandmentto take tithesof the people according to the law, that is, oftheirbrethren, though they come out of the loinsofAbraham:
6But he whose descent isnotcountedfromthem received tithes of Abraham, andblessed him that had the promises.
7Andwithoutallcontradiction the less is blessedof the better.
8Andherementhatdiereceivetithes; butthere he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessedthat he liveth.
9Andas I may so say, Levialso, whoreceivethtithes, payed tithesinAbraham.
10For he wasyetin the loins of his father, whenMelchisedecmethim.
11Ifthereforeperfectionwereby the Levitical priesthood,(for underit the people received the law,) whatfurtherneed was there that anotherpriest should riseafter the order of Melchisedec, andnot be calledafter the order of Aaron?
12For the priesthood being changed, there is madeofnecessity a changealsoof the law.
13For he ofwhom these things are spokenpertaineth to anothertribe, ofwhich no man gave attendance at the altar.
14For it is evidentthatourLordsprang out ofJuda; ofwhichtribeMosesspakenothingconcerningpriesthood.
15And it isyet far moreevident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there arisethanotherpriest,
16Who is made, notafter the law of a carnalcommandment, butafter the power of an endlesslife.
17For he testifieth, Thou art a priestforeverafter the order of Melchisedec.
18For there isverily a disannulling of the commandment going beforefor the weaknessandunprofitablenessthereof.
19For the lawmadenothingperfect, but the bringing in of a betterhope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20And inasmuch asnotwithout an oath he was made priest:
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(For those priestsweremadewithout an oath; but this with an oathbyhim that saiduntohim, The Lordswareandwillnotrepent, Thou art a priestforeverafter the order of Melchisedec:)
22By so muchwasJesusmade a surety of a bettertestament.
23Andtheytrulyweremanypriests, because theywere not suffered to continue by reason ofdeath:
24But this man, becausehecontinuethever, hath an unchangeablepriesthood.
25Wherefore he is ablealsoto save themto the uttermost that come unto Godbyhim, seeing he everlivethto make intercessionforthem.
26Forsuch an high priestbecameus, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separatefromsinners, andmade higher than the heavens;
27Whoneedethnotdaily, as those high priests, to offer upsacrifice, firstfor his ownsins, and thenfor the people's: forthis he didonce, when he offered uphimself.
28For the lawmakethmen high priestswhichhaveinfirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecratedforevermore.