13. For the One of Whom these things are said belonged [not to the priestly line but] to another tribe, no member of which has officiated at the altar.
14. For it is obvious that our Lord sprang from the tribe of Judah, and Moses mentioned nothing about priests in connection with that tribe.
15. And this becomes more plainly evident when another Priest arises Who bears the likeness of Melchizedek, [Ps. 110:4.]
16. Who has been constituted a Priest, not on the basis of a bodily legal requirement [an externally imposed command concerning His physical ancestry], but on the basis of the power of an endless and indestructible Life.
17. For it is witnessed of Him, You are a Priest forever after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek. [Ps. 110:4.]
18. So a previous physical regulation and command is cancelled because of its weakness and ineffectiveness and uselessness–
19. For the Law never made anything perfect–but instead a better hope is introduced through which we [now] come close to God.
20. And it was not without the taking of an oath [that Christ was made Priest],