|
[1] Now 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.
[2] And 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.
[3] Of 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.
[4] And consider ye, how great he was; to whom the patriarch Abraham gave tithes and first-fruits.
[5] For 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.
[6] But this man, who is not enrolled in their genealogies, took tithes from Abraham; and blessed him who had received the promise.
[7] But it is beyond controversy, that the inferior is blessed by his superior.
[8] And here, men who die, receive the tithes; but there he of whom the scripture testifieth that he liveth.
[9] And through Abraham, as one may say, even Levi who receiveth tithes, was himself tithed.
[10] For he was yet in the loins of his father, when he met Melchisedec.
[11] If, 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.
[12] But as there is a change in the priesthood, so also is there a change in the law.
[13] For he of whom these things were spoken, was born of another tribe, of which no one ever ministered at the altar.
[14] For it is manifest that our Lord arose from Judah, from a tribe of which Moses said nothing concerning a priesthood.
[15] And moreover this is further manifest, from his saying that another priest will stand up, after the likeness of Melchisedec,
[16] who was not according to the law of corporeal injunctions, but according to the energy of an indissoluble life.
[17] For he testified of him: Thou art a priest for ever, after the likeness of Melchisedec.
[18] And the change which was made in the first statute, was on account of its impotency, and because their was no utility in it.
[19] For 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.
[20] And he confirmed it to us by an oath.
[21] For 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.
[22] By all this, is that a better covenant of which Jesus is the sponsor.
[23] And they as priests were numerous, because they were mortal, and were not permitted to continue:
[24] but this man, because he standeth up for ever, his priesthood doth not pass away:
[25] and he is able to vivify for ever, them who come to God by him; for he always liveth, and sendeth up prayers for them.
[26] For, 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;
[27] and 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.
[28] For the law constituted feeble men priests; but the word of the oath, which was subsequent to the law [constituted] the Son perfect for ever.
|