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.