Hebrews:7

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* For this Melchisedec , King of Salem , priest of the most high God , who met Abraham returning from smiting the kings , and blessed him ; * to whom Abraham gave also the tenth portion of all ; first being interpreted King of righteousness , and 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 assimilated to the Son of God , abides a priest continually . * Now consider how great this [personage ] was , to whom [even ] the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth out of the spoils . * And they indeed from among the sons of Levi , who receive the priesthood , have commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law , that is from their brethren , though these are come out of the loins of Abraham : * but he who has no genealogy from them has tithed Abraham , and blessed him who had the promises . * But beyond all gainsaying , the inferior is blessed by the better . * And here dying men receive tithes ; but there [one ] of whom the witness is that he lives ; * and , so to speak , through Abraham , Levi also , who received tithes , has been made to pay tithes . * For he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedec met him . * If indeed then perfection were by the Levitical priesthood , for the people had their law given to them in connexion with it , what need [was there ] still that a different priest should arise according to the order of Melchisedec , and not be named after the order of Aaron ? * For , the priesthood being changed , there takes place of necessity a change of law also . * For he , of whom these things are said , belongs to a different tribe , of which no one has [ever ] been attached to the service of the altar . * For it is clear that our Lord has sprung out of Juda , as to which tribe Moses spake nothing as to priests . * And it is yet more abundantly evident , since a different priest arises according to the similitude of Melchisedec , * who has been constituted not according to law of fleshly commandment , but according to power of indissoluble life . * For it is borne witness , Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec . * For there is a setting aside of the commandment going before for its weakness and unprofitableness , * (for the law perfected nothing ,) and the introduction of a better hope by which we draw nigh to God . * And by how much [it was ] not without the swearing of an oath ; * (for they are become priests without the swearing of an oath , but he with the swearing of an oath , by him who said , as to him , The Lord has sworn , and will not repent [of it ], Thou [art ] priest for ever [according to the order of Melchisedec ];) * by so much Jesus became surety of a better covenant . * And they have been many priests , on account of being hindered from continuing by death ; * but he , because of his continuing for ever , has the priesthood unchangeable . * Whence also he is able to save completely those who approach by him to God , always living to intercede for them . * For such a high priest became us , holy , harmless , undefiled , separated from sinners , and become higher than the heavens : * who has not day by day need , as the high priests , first to offer up sacrifices for his own sins , then [for ] those of the people ; for this he did once for all [in ] having offered up himself . * For the law constitutes men high priests , having infirmity ; but the word of the swearing of the oath which [is ] after the law , a Son perfected for ever .

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