6. But this person who has not their Levitical ancestry received tithes from Abraham [himself] and blessed him who possessed the promises [of God].
7. Yet it is beyond all contradiction that it is the lesser person who is blessed by the greater one.
8. Furthermore, here [in the Levitical priesthood] tithes are received by men who are subject to death; while there [in the case of Melchizedek], they are received by one of whom it is testified that he lives [perpetually].
9. A person might even say that Levi [the father of the priestly tribe] himself, who received tithes (the tenth), paid tithes through Abraham,
10. For he was still in the loins of his forefather [Abraham] when Melchizedek met him [Abraham].