The Koine Bible

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

to whom Abraham also apportioned a tenth of all, first being interpreted king of righteousness, then also king of Salem, which is king of peace,

Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

Consider how great this one was, to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth from the first fruits.

And those from the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a command to tithe the people according to the law, that is, their brothers, even though they have come out of the loins of Abraham.

But the one who is not descended from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed the one who has the promises.

Without any dispute, the lesser is blessed by the greater.

And here mortal men receive tithes, but there he is witnessed that he lives.

And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who receives the tithe, has paid tithes.

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

If then perfection was through the Levitical priesthood—for the people were indeed given the law under it—why is there still need for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek and not be called according to the order of Aaron?

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

For it is of another tribe concerning which these things are said, of which no one has served at the altar.

For it is evident that our Lord has arisen from Judah, concerning which tribe Moses spoke nothing about priests.

And it is even more evident if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,

who has not become a priest according to the law of a fleshly commandment but according to the power of an indestructible life,

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

For a setting aside occurs because of the weakness and uselessness of the former commandment, which was advancing.

For the law did not perfect anything, but it introduced a better hope, through which we approach God.

And inasmuch as it was not without an oath (for those indeed have become priests without an oath),

But the one who made the oath is greater than the one who swears, and he swore by him, saying, You are a priest forever.

Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant in this way.

And indeed, many have become priests because death prevented them from continuing.

But because he remains forever, he has 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.

For such a high priest was fitting for us, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

who does not have need every day, like the high priests, to offer sacrifices first for his own sins and then for those of the people (for this he did once for all by offering himself).

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