1. For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2. to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of everything—in the first place, his name is translated “king of righteousness,” and then also “king of Salem,” that is, “king of peace”;
3. 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 for all time.
4. But see how great this man was, to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth from the spoils!
5. And indeed those of the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a commandment to collect a tenth from the people according to the law, that is, from their brothers, although they are descended from Abraham.
6. But the one who did not trace his descent from them collected tithes from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.
7. Now without any dispute the inferior is blessed by the more prominent.
8. And in this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case it is testified that he lives.
9. And, so to speak, even Levi, the one who receives tithes, has paid tithes through Abraham.
10. For he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
11. Thus if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood, for on the basis of it the people received the law, what further need is there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek and not said to be according to the order of Aaron?
12. For when the priesthood changes, of necessity there is a change of the law also.
13. For the one about whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe from which no one has officiated at the altar.