HEBREWS, CHAPTER VII.

[1 Christ, a priest after the order of Melchisedec, 11 is proved to be far more 
excellent than the priests of Aaron's order.]

FOR this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of 
the most high God, who met Abraham returning
from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of 
all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness,
and after that also King of Salem, which is, 
King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent,
having neither beginning of days, nor end of life;
but made like unto the Son of God; abideth 
a priest continually. 
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto 
whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of 
the spoils.
5 And verily they that are sons of Levi,
who receive the office of priesthood, have a commandment
to take tithes of the people according to 
the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come
out of the loins of Abraham:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from 
them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him 
that had the promises. 
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed 
of the better. 
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he 
receiveth them of whom it is witness that he liveth.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth
tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, 
when Melchisedec met him. 
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical 
preisthood, (for under it the people received the 
law,) what further need was there that another priest
should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not 
be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is 
made of necessity a change also of the law. 
13 For he of whom these things are spoken 
pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave 
attendance at the altar. 
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of 
Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning 
priesthood. 
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the 
similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 
16 Who is made, not after the law of carnal commandment,
but after the power of an endless life. 
17 For he testifiethh, Thou art a priest for ever 
after the order of Melchisedec. 
18 For there is verily a disabling of the commandment 
going before, for the weakness and unprofitableness 
thereof. 
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the 
bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we 
draw nigh unto God. 
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was 
made priest:
21 (For those priests were made without an 
oath; but this with an oath, by him that said unto 
him, The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou art
a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec;)
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a 
better testament. 
23 And they truly were many priests, because they 
were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, continuity ever, hath 
an unchangeable priesthood. 
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the 
uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he 
ever liveth to make intercession for them. 
26 For such an high priest became us, who is
holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and 
made higher than the heavens; 
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, 
to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then 
for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered
up himself. 
28 For the law maketh men high priests which 
have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which 
was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated
for evermore. 

HEBREWS CHAPTER VI.

[1 The higher doctrine of Christianity proposed to be treated of. 10 Of charitable deeds...]

THEREFORE leaving the principles of the 
doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; 
not laying again the foundation of repentance from 
dead works, and of faith toward God, 
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying
on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and 
of eternal judgment. 
3 And this will we do, if God permit. 
4 For it is impossible for those who were once 
enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, 
and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 
5 And we have tasted the good word of God, and 
the powers of the world to come, 
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto
repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the 
Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 
7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that
cometh oft upon it, and bringeth for herbs meet
for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing 
from God:
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is 
rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to 
be burned. 
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of 
you, and things that accompany salvation, though 
we thus speak. 
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your 
work and labour of love, which ye have ministered to the 
saints, and do minister. 
11 And we desire that every one of you do shew 
the same diligence to the full assurance of hope 
unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them
who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 
13 For God made promise to Abraham, because 
he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and 
multiplying I will multiply thee. 
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he 
obtained the promise. 
16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an 
oath for confirmation is to them an end to all strife. 
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to 
shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability 
of his counsel, confirmed it by oath. 
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was 
impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong
consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold
upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, 
both sure and steadfast, and which entirety into 
that within the vail;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even 
Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order 
of Melchisedec. 

HEBREWS CHAPTER V.

[Of the high priests taken from among men; wherewith Christ's priesthood is 
compared, and its privileges set forth.]

FOR every high priest taken from among men, is 
ordained for men in things pertaining to God, 
that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; 
2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, 
and on them that are out of the way; for that he
himself also is compassed with infirmity. 
3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the 
people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 
4 And no man taketh this honor unto himself, 
but he that is called of God, as was Aaron:
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made 
an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou
art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee. 
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a 
priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had
offered up prayers and supplications with strong
crying and tears unto him that was able to save
him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience
by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author 
of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 
10 Called of God an high priest after the order 
of Melchisedec. 
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and 
hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, 
ye have need that one teach you again which be the 
first principles of the oracles of God; and are become 
such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 
13 For every one that useth milk, is unskillful 
in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are 
of full age, even those who by reason of use have 
their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.