1For this Melchizedec was king of Salem, and a priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham when he was returning from defeating the kings, and he blessed him; 2Then Abraham gave him a tenth part of all that he had captured. The name “Melchizedec” first means “king of righteousness”; and after that, “king of Salem”, which means “king of peace.” 3Without father or mother, without descent (genealogy), having neither beginning nor end of the days of his life; but resembling the Son of God; he remains a priest forever.

4Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch, Abraham, gave the tenth of his spoils (plunder). 5And truly, the law of Moses requires that the sons (descendants) of Levi, who, in the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes (a tenth part) from the people, that is, their fellow Israelites, even though they are also descended from Abraham; 6But Melchizedec, who is not descended from them (the Levites), received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises from God. 7And without question, the lesser is blessed by the better. 8And here, in one case, priests - men who die - receive tithes; but in that case, he, of whom it is testified that he lives on, receives tithes. 9And one may even say that Levi, also, who receives tithes, paid tithes to Melchizedec when their ancestor, Abraham, did so. 10Because he (Levi) was yet in the loins of his father (Abraham), when Melchizedec met Abraham.

11If, therefore, the perfection that God intended could have been attained by the Levitical priesthood - for indeed, the law received by the people established the Levitical priesthood - what further need would there have been that another Priest should arise after the order of Melchizedec (Ps.110:4), and not after the order of Aaron? 12For when the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to accommodate it. 13For He, of Whom these things are said, belonged to another tribe (not of Levi), and no one of that tribe had ever served at the altar. 14For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe that Moses said nothing about priests or the priesthood. 15And what we have said is even more evident if another Priest after the order of Melchizedec arises, 16Who became a priest, not based upon meeting the physical requirement of descent from the tribe of Levi, but by the power of an endless (indestructible) life. 17And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied, “You are a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedec.” (Ps.110:4)

18For the former requirement is truly set aside because it was weak and ineffective. 19For the law never achieved perfection; but we have confidence in a better hope, by which we draw near to God. 20And it was not without a solemn oath that He was made Priest! 21For those others (Aaron’s descendants) were made priests without an oath, but this Priest by an oath by Him Who said of Him, “The Lord swore and will not repent (change His mind), You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedec.” (Ps.110:4), 22Because of this oath, Jesus was made the Guarantor of a better covenant with God. 23And there have truly been many priests, because, by reason of death, they were not allowed to continue in office; 24But because this Man, Jesus, continues forever, He has an unchangeable (permanent) priesthood. 25Therefore, He is also able to save to the uttermost those that come to God by Him, because He lives forever to intercede for them.

26For such a high Priest truly meets our needs – a Priest Who is holy, sinless, pure, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens: 27A Priest Who does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, as did those high priests, first for his own sins, and then for the people's. Christ did this once for all, when He offered up Himself. 28For the law appointed men as high priests who were limited by their fleshly weaknesses; but God’s solemn oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son, Who is the perfect High Priest, for eternity.