1. For this Melchizedek —King of Salem, priest of the Most High God,who met Abraham and blessed himas he returned from defeating the kings,
2. and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything;first, his name means king of righteousness,then also, king of Salem,meaning king of peace;
3. without father, mother, or genealogy,having neither beginning of days nor end of life,but resembling the Son of God —remains a priest forever.
4. Now consider how great this man was — even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the plunder to him!
5. The sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command according to the law to collect a tenth from the people — that is, from their brothers — though they have also descended from Abraham.