Study Desk

For this ^(C1)Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the ^(C2)Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth 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.

Without father, without mother, ^(C1)without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like ^(C2)the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the ^(C1)patriarch, ^(C2)gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.

And those indeed of ^(C1)the sons of Levi who receive the priest's office have a commandment ^(F1)in the Law to collect ^(F2)a tenth from the people, that is, from their countrymen, although they ^(F3)are descended from Abraham.

But the one ^(C1)whose genealogy is not traced from them ^(C2)collected ^(F1)a tenth from Abraham and ^(F2)(C2)blessed the one who ^(C3)had the promises.

But without any dispute the lesser person is blessed by the greater.

In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, ^(C1)of whom it is witnessed that he lives on.

And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, has paid tithes,

for he was still in the loins of his ^(F1)forefather when Melchizedek met him.

^(C1)So if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it ^(C2)the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise ^(C3)according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?

For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.

For ^(C1)the one about whom ^(C2)these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.

For it is evident that our Lord ^(F1)was ^(C1)descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses said nothing concerning priests.

And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,

who has become a priest not on the basis of a law of ^(F1)(C1)physical requirement, but according to the power of ^(C2)an indestructible life.

For it is attested of Him, "^(C1)YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK."

For, on the one hand, there is the nullification of a former commandment ^(C1)because of its weakness and uselessness

(for ^(C1)the Law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, there is the introduction of a better ^(C2)hope, through which we ^(C3)come near to God.

And to the extent that it was not without an oath

(for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, "^(C1)THE LORD HAS SWORN AND ^(C2)WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND, 'YOU ARE A PRIEST ^(C3)FOREVER'");