14 For it is evident that our Lord 1was adescended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.

15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,

16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of 1aphysical requirement, but according to the power of ban indestructible life.

17 For it is attested of Him,

“aYou are a priest forever

According to the order of Melchizedek.”

18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment abecause of its weakness and uselessness

19 (for athe Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better bhope, through which we cdraw near to God.

20 And inasmuch as it was not without an oath

21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,

“aThe Lord has sworn

And bwill not change His mind,

‘You are a priest cforever’ ”);

22 so much the more also Jesus has become the aguarantee of ba better covenant.

23 1The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,

24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues aforever, holds His priesthood permanently.

25 Therefore He is able also to asave 1forever those who bdraw near to God through Him, since He always lives to cmake intercession for them.

26 For it was fitting for us to have such a ahigh priest, bholy, cinnocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and dexalted above the heavens;

27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to aoffer up sacrifices, bfirst for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did conce for all when He doffered up Himself.

28 For the Law appoints men as high priests awho are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints ba Son, cmade perfect forever.