1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the defeat of 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;

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

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

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.

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

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

5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brothers, though they come from the loins 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:

6 But he whose genealogy is not counted from them received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises.

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

7 And without all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the greater.

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

8 And here mortal men receive tithes; but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.

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

9 And, as I may say, Levi also, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham.

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

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

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

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

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

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

13 For he of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, of which no man attended the altar.

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

14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

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

15 And it is yet far more evident: for in the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,

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

16 Who is made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.

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

17 For he testifies, You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

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

18 For there is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness.

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

19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by 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.

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

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

21 For those priests were made without an oath; but this one with an oath by him that said to him, The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek:

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:)

22 By so much was Jesus made the guarantor of a better covenant.

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

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

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

24 But he, because he continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

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

25 Therefore he is able also to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession 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.

26 For such a high priest was fitting for us, 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;

27 Who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for he did this once, when he offered up 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.

28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weaknesses; but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son, who is perfected 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.