1THIS MELCHIZEDEK, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham returning from the rout of the kings and blessed him; 2and Abraham gave him a tithe of everything as his portion. His name, in the first place, means 'king of righteousness'; next he is king of Salem, that is, 'king of peace'. 3He has no father, no mother, no lineage; his years have no beginning, his life no end. He is like the Son of God: he remains a priest for all time.
4Consider now how great he must be for Abraham the patriarch to give him a tithe of the finest of the spoil. 5The descendants of Levi who take the priestly office are commanded by the Law to tithe the people, that is, their kinsmen, although they too are descendants of Abraham. 6But Melchizedek, though he does not trace his descent from them, has tithed Abraham himself, and given his blessing to the man who received the promises; 7and beyond all dispute the lesser is always blessed by the greater. 8Again, in the one instance tithes are received by men who must die; but in the other, by one whom Scripture affirms to be alive. 9It might even be said that Levi, who receives tithes, has himself been tithed through Abraham; 10for he was still in his ancestor's loins when Melchizedek met him.
11Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for it is on this basis that the people were given the Law), what further need would there have been to speak of another priest arising, in the succession of Melchizedek, instead of the succession of Aaron? 12For a change of priesthood must mean a change of law. 13And the One here spoken of belongs to a different tribe, no member of which has ever had anything to do with the altar. 14For it is very evident that our Lord is sprung from Judah, a tribe to which Moses made no reference in speaking of priests.
15The argument becomes still clearer, if the new priest who arises is one like Melchizedek, 16owing his priesthood not to a system of earth-bound rules but to the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. 17 [ Ps.110.4. ] For here is the testimony: 'Thou art a priest for ever, in the succession of Melchizedek.' 18The earlier rules are cancelled as impotent and useless, 19since the Law brought nothing to perfection; and a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
20How great a difference it makes that an oath was sworn! 21 [ Ps.110.4. ] There was no oath sworn when those others were made priests; but for this priest an oath was sworn, as Scripture says of him: 'The Lord has sworn and will not go back on his word, "Thou art a priest for ever." ' 22How far superior must the covenant also be of which Jesus is the guarantor! 23Those other priests are appointed in numerous succession, because they are prevented by death from continuing in office; 24but the priesthood which Jesus holds is perpetual, because he remains for ever. 25That is why he is also able to save absolutely those who approach God through him; he is always living to plead on their behalf.
26Such a high priest does indeed fit our condition—devout, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, raised high above the heavens. 27He has no need to offer sacrifices daily, as the high priests do, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; for this he did once and for all when he offered up himself. 28The high priests made by the Law are men in all their frailty; but the priest appointed by the words of the oath which supersedes the Law is the Son, made perfect now for ever.
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