VIN(i)
1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2 and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”
3 Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.
4 See how great he was! Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the spoils.
5 Now the Law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people (that is, their brothers), even though they are descended from Abraham.
6 But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
7 And without dispute the lesser person is blessed by the greater.
8 In the one case, mortal men collect tithes; but in the other, one who, it is intimated, lives on.
9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham,
10 For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
11 Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (upon which basis the people received the Law), why was there still a need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?
12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.
13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
15 And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
16 who has come, not on the basis of a law about a physical rule but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.
17 For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
18 The former commandment was set aside because it was weak and useless.
19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
20 It was not without an oath. Others were made priest without any oath.
21 but Jesus became a priest with an oath when God said to him, "The Lord has taken an oath and will not change his mind. You are a priest forever."
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
24 But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.
25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
26 We need such a high priest {— } one who is holy, innocent, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.
27 Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.
28 For the Law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the Law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.