Study Desk

For men swear by one who is greater than themselves: and in every dispute among them, the true settlement is by oaths.

Therein Jesus has previously entered for our sakes, and become the high priest for ever, after the order of Mel-chis''e-dec.

FOR this Mel-chis''e-dec was king of Sa lem, the priest of the most high God, who met A''bra-ham, returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

Neither his father nor his mother is recorded in the genealogies; and neither the beginning of his days nor the end of his life; but, like the Son of God, his priesthood abides for ever.

For those sons of Levi who received the office of the priesthood, were authorized by law to take tithes from the people; even from their own brethren who also had come out of the loins of Abraham.

For he was yet in the loins of his forefather Abraham, when Mel-chis''e-dec met him.

If therefore perfection had been reached by the Le-vit''ic-al priesthood, by which the law was enacted for the people, what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Mel-chis''e-dec? Otherwise, the scriptures would have said, that he would be after the order of Aaron.

For he, concerning whom these things are spoken, was born of another tribe, from which no man ever ministered at the altar.

For it is evident that our LORD sprang out of Juda, of which tribe Moses said nothing concerning the priesthood.

One who was not appointed after the law of carnal commandments, but after the power of life which abides for ever.

For he testified concerning him, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchis''e- dec.

For the change which took place in the former law, was made on account of its weaknesses, and because it had become useless.

For the law made nothing perfect, but there has come in its place a better hope, by which we draw near to God.

And he confirmed it for us by oath.

For they were made priests without oaths; but this one was made a priest with an oath, as it was said concerning him by David, The LORD has sworn, and will not lie, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Mel-chis''edec.

But this man, because he is immortal, has a priesthood which remains for ever.

Therefore he is able to forever save those who come to God by him because forever he lives to make intercession for them.

For this is the kind of high priest proper for us; pure, without evil, and undefiled, far away from sin, and made higher than the heavens;

And who needs not daily, as do those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for their own sins, and then for the people''s, for this he did once when he offered up himself.

For the law appoints imperfect men priests; but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints the Son who is perfect for evermore.