1Now this Melchisedec was king of Salem, a priest of the most high God: and he met Abraham, when returning from the slaughter of the kings; and blessed him. 2And to him Abraham imparted tithes of all that he had with him. Moreover his name is interpreted king of righteousness; and again he is called King of Salem, that is King of Peace. 3Of whom neither his father nor his mother are written in the genealogies; nor the commencement of his days, nor the end of his life; but, after the likeness of the Son of God, his priesthood remaineth for ever. 4And consider ye, how great he was; to whom the patriarch Abraham gave tithes and first-fruits. 5For they of the sons of Levi who received the priesthood, had a statute of the law, that they should take tithes from the people; they from their brethren, because they also are of the seed of Abraham. 6But this man, who is not enrolled in their genealogies, took tithes from Abraham; and blessed him who had received the promise. 7But it is beyond controversy, that the inferior is blessed by his superior. 8And here, men who die, receive the tithes; but there he of whom the scripture testifieth that he liveth. 9And through Abraham, as one may say, even Levi who receiveth tithes, was himself tithed. 10For he was yet in the loins of his father, when he met Melchisedec. 11If, therefore, perfection had been by means of the priesthood of the Levites, in which the law was enjoined on the people; why was another priest required, who should stand up after the likeness of Melchisedec? For it should have said, He shall be after the likeness of Aaron. 12But as there is a change in the priesthood, so also is there a change in the law. 13For he of whom these things were spoken, was born of another tribe, of which no one ever ministered at the altar. 14For it is manifest that our Lord arose from Judah, from a tribe of which Moses said nothing concerning a priesthood. 15And moreover this is further manifest, from his saying that another priest will stand up, after the likeness of Melchisedec, 16who was not according to the law of corporeal injunctions, but according to the energy of an indissoluble life. 17For he testified of him: Thou art a priest for ever, after the likeness of Melchisedec. 18And the change which was made in the first statute, was on account of its impotency, and because their was no utility in it. 19For the law perfected nothing; but in the place of it there came in a hope, which is better than it, and by which we draw near to God. 20And he confirmed it to us by an oath. 21For they became priests without an oath; but this man by an oath. As he said to him by David: The Lord hath sworn, and will not lie, Thou art a priest for ever, after the likeness of Melchisedec. 22By all this, is that a better covenant of which Jesus is the sponsor. 23And they as priests were numerous, because they were mortal, and were not permitted to continue: 24but this man, because he standeth up for ever, his priesthood doth not pass away: 25and he is able to vivify for ever, them who come to God by him; for he always liveth, and sendeth up prayers for them. 26For, a priest like to him, was also suitable for us; one pure, and without evil and without stain; one separated from sins, and exalted higher than heaven; 27and who is not obliged, every day, like the Aaronic high priest, to first offer sacrifices for his own sins, and then for the people; for this he did once, by offering up himself. 28For the law constituted feeble men priests; but the word of the oath, which was subsequent to the law constituted the Son perfect for ever.