“1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God,
who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed
him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by
interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem,
which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother, without
descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made
like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. 4 Now consider
how great this man [was], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the
tenth of the spoils. 5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who
receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes
of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though
they come out of the loins of Abraham: 6 But he whose descent is not
counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had
the promises. 7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the
better. 8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he [receiveth
them], of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say,
Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was
yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.”
“11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for
under it the people received the law,) what further need [was there]
that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not
be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed,
there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom
these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man
gave attendance at the altar. 14 For [it is] evident that our Lord
sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning
priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the
similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made,
not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an
endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou [art] a priest for ever after
the order of Melchisedec. 18 For there is verily a disannulling of the
commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better
hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God. 20 And inasmuch as not
without an oath [he was made priest]: 21 (For those priests were made
without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The
Lord sware and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the
order of Melchisedec:) 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better
testament. 23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not
suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this [man], because he
continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is
able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him,
seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high
priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from
sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as
those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and
then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the
word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is
consecrated for evermore.” (Hebrews 7:1-28 AV)
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