For this aMelchisedec, king of bSalem, priest of cthe most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 aTo whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of bSalem, which is, King of dpeace; 3 Without father, without mother, †without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto ethe Son of God; abideth a priest fcontinually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, aunto whom even gthe patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5 And verily hthey 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 ithey come out of the loins of Abraham: 6 But he whose ||descent is not counted from them areceived tithes of Abraham, and ablessed jhim that had the promises. 7 And without all kcontradiction the less is blessed of the better. 8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom lit is witnessed that mhe liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For ihe was yet in the loins of his father, awhen Melchisedec met him. 11 nIf therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people oreceived the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise pafter 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 qhe 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 qrour Lord ssprang out of tJuda; 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 tta carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For uhe testifieth, vThou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before nfor wthe weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19 For nxthe law made nothing perfect, ||but the bringing in of ya better zhope did; by the which awe 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, vThe Lord sware and will not brepent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)