This Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he returned from defeating the kings and blessed him.

For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

Abraham also gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means 'King of Righteousness'; then also, he is 'King of Salem,' which means 'King of Peace.'

To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

Consider how great this man was: Even Abraham, the patriarch, gave him a tenth of the best spoils.

Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

Now the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood are commanded by the law to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—even though they too are descendants of Abraham.

And verily they 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 they come out of the loins of Abraham:

But this man, who does not trace his descent from them, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.

But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

It is universally recognized that the lesser is blessed by the greater.

And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

In one case, mortal men receive tithes, but in the other case, it is testified that he lives.

And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

And to say it another way, Levi, who collects tithes, also paid tithes through Abraham.

And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

For he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

If perfection could have been achieved through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), why was there still a need for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, rather than one according to the order of Aaron?

If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

For when there is a change in the priesthood, there must also be a change in the law.

For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

For the one about whom these things are spoken belongs to a different tribe, one from which no one has ever served at the altar.

For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe, Moses said nothing about priests.

For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

And this becomes even more evident if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,

And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

one who has become a priest not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.

Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

For it is testified: 'You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.'

For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless,

For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

(for the law made nothing perfect), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath,

And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: 'The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: You are a priest forever.'

For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.

By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Now there have been many priests since death prevented them from continuing in office;

And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.

But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Such a high priest truly meets our need: one who is holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

He does not need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do—first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people. He did this once for all when he offered himself.

Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

For the law appoints men who are weak as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.