Hebrews 7:11–19

Jesus Like Melchizedek

¹¹If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people^q established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come,^r one in the order of Melchizedek,^s not in the order of Aaron? ¹²For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. ¹³He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe,^t and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.^{u 14}For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah,^v and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. ¹⁵And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, ¹⁶one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. ¹⁷For it is declared:

“You are a priest forever,

in the order of Melchizedek.”^aw

¹⁸The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless^{x 19}(for the law made nothing perfect),^y and a better hope^z is introduced, by which we draw near to God.^a