1 For this Melchizedek, 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 translated king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, meaning king of peace,3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the Law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham;6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.7 And without any contradiction the inferior is blessed by the better.8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there it is witnessed that he lives.9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak,10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the Law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the Law.13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has attended at the altar.14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.17 For He testifies: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.18 For there is indeed an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness.19 For the Law made nothing perfect, but a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.20 And inasmuch as not without an oath21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: The Lord has sworn and will not repent, You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek),22 by so much Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He lives forever to make intercession for them.26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;27 who does not need, as the high priests, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people; for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.28 For the Law appoints as high priests men who have infirmity, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

1 And this Melchisedech, king of Salem, and preest of the hiyeste God, which mette with Abraham, as he turnede ayen fro the sleyng of kyngis, and blesside hym;2 to whom also Abraham departide tithis of alle thingis; first he is seid king of riytwisnesse, and aftirward kyng of Salem, that is to seie, king of pees,3 with out fadir, with out modir, with out genologie, nether hauynge bigynnyng of daies, nether ende of lijf; and he is lickened to the sone of God, and dwellith preest with outen ende.4 But biholde ye how greet is this, to whom Abraham the patriark yaf tithis of the beste thingis.5 For men of the sones of Leuy takinge presthod han maundement to take tithis of the puple, bi the lawe, that is to seie, of her britheren, thouy also thei wenten out of the leendis of Abraham.6 But he whos generacioun is not noumbrid in hem, took tithis of Abraham; and he blesside this Abraham, which hadde repromyssiouns.7 With outen ony ayenseiyng, that that is lesse, is blessid of the betere.8 And heere deedli men taken tithis; but there he berith witnessyng, that he lyueth.9 And that it be seid so, bi Abraham also Leuy, that took tithis, was tithid; and yit he was in his fadris leendis,10 whanne Melchisedech mette with hym.11 Therfor if perfeccioun was bi the preesthood of Leuy, for vndur hym the puple took the lawe, what yit was it nedeful, another preest to rise, bi the ordre of Melchisedech, and not to be seid bi the ordre of Aaron?12 For whi whanne the preesthod is translatid, it is nede that also translacioun of the lawe be maad.13 But he in whom these thingis ben seid, is of another lynage, of which no man was preest to the auter.14 For it is opyn, that oure Lord is borun of Juda, in which lynage Moises spak no thing of preestis.15 And more yit it is knowun, if bi the ordre of Melchisedech another preest is risun vp;16 which is not maad bi the lawe of fleischli maundement, but bi vertu of lijf that may not be vndon.17 For he witnessith, That thou art a preest with outen ende, bi the ordre of Melchisedech;18 that repreuyng of the maundement bifor goynge is maad, for the vnsadnesse and vnprofit of it.19 For whi the lawe brouyt no thing to perfeccioun, but there is a bringing in of a betere hope, bi which we neiyen to God.20 And hou greet it is, not with out sweryng; but the othere ben maad preestis with outen an ooth;21 but this preest with an ooth, bi hym that seide `to hym, The Lord swoor, and it schal not rewe hym, Thou art a preest with outen ende, bi the ordre of Melchisedech;22 in so myche Jhesus is maad biheetere of the betere testament.23 And the othere weren maad manye preestis, `therfor for thei weren forbedun bi deth to dwelle stille;24 but this, for he dwellith with outen ende, hath an euerlastynge preesthod.25 Wherfor also he may saue with outen ende, comynge nyy bi hym silf to God, and euermore lyueth to preye for vs.26 For it bisemyde that sich a man were a bischop to vs, hooli, innocent, vndefoulid, clene, departid fro synful men, and maad hiyere than heuenes;27 which hath not nede ech dai, as prestis, first for hise owne giltis to offre sacrifices, and aftirward for the puple; for he dide this thing in offringe hym silf onys.28 And the lawe ordeynede men prestis hauynge sijknesse; but the word of swering, which is after the lawe, ordeynede the sone perfit with outen ende.