11

Now if it was possible for things to be made complete through the priests of the house of Levi (for the law was given to the people in connection with them), what need was there for another priest who was of the order of Melchizedek and not of the order of Aaron?

12

Because if the priests are changed, it is necessary to make a change in the law.

13

For he of whom these things are said comes of another tribe, of which no man has ever made offerings at the altar.

14

Because it is clear that our Lord comes out of Judah, and Moses said nothing about priests from that tribe.

15

And this is even more clear if a second priest has come up who is like Melchizedek,

16

That is to say, not made by a law based on the flesh, but by the power of a life without end:

17

For it has been witnessed of him, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

18

So the law which went before is put on one side, because it was feeble and without profit.

19

(Because the law made nothing complete), and in its place there is a better hope, through which we come near to God.

20

And as this is not without the taking of an oath

21

(For those were made priests without an oath, but this one was made a priest with an oath by him who says of him, The Lord gave his oath, which he will not take back, that you are a priest for ever)

22

By so much is it a better agreement which we have through Jesus.

23

And it is true that there have been a great number of those priests, because death does not let them go on for ever

24

But this priest, because his life goes on for ever, is unchanging.

25

So that he is fully able to be the saviour of all who come to God through him, because he is ever living to make prayer to God for them.

26

It was right for us to have such a high priest, one who is holy and without evil, doing no wrong, having no part with sinners, and made higher than the heavens:

27

Who has no need to make offerings for sins every day, like those high priests, first for himself, and then for the people because he did this once and for ever when he made an offering of himself.

28

The law makes high priests of men who are feeble but the word of the oath, which was made after the law, gives that position to a Son, in whom all good is for ever complete.