007:004 Now think how great this priest-king must have been to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth part of the best of the spoil. 007:005 And those of the descendants of Levi who receive the priesthood are authorized by the Law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brethren, though these have sprung from Abraham. 007:006 But, in this instance, one who does not trace his origin from them takes tithes from Abraham, and pronounces a blessing on him to whom the promises belong. 007:007 And beyond all dispute it is always the inferior who is blessed by the superior. 007:008 Moreover here frail mortal men receive tithes: there one receives them about whom there is evidence that he is alive. 007:009 And Levi too--if I may so speak--pays tithes through Abraham: 007:010 for Levi was yet in the loins of his forefather when Melchizedek met Abraham. 007:011 Now if the crowning blessing was attainable by means of the Levitical priesthood--for as resting on this foundation the people received the Law, to which they are still subject-- what further need was there for a Priest of a different kind to be raised up belonging to the order of Melchizedek instead of being said to belong to the order of Aaron? 007:012 For when the priesthood changes, a change of Law also of necessity takes place. 007:013 He, however, to whom that prophecy refers is associated with a different tribe, not one member of which has anything to do with the altar. 007:014 For it is undeniable that our Lord sprang from Judah, a tribe of which Moses said nothing in connection with priests. 007:015 And this is still more abundantly clear when we read that it is as belonging to the order of Melchizedek that a priest of a different kind is to arise, 007:016 and hold His office not in obedience to any temporary Law, but by virtue of an indestructible Life. 007:017 For the words are in evidence, "Thou art a priest for ever, belonging to the order of Melchizedek." 007:018 On the one hand we have here the abrogation of an earlier code because it was weak and ineffective-- 007:019 for the Law brought no perfect blessing--but on the other hand we have the bringing in of a new and better hope by means of which we draw near to God. 007:020 And since it was not without an oath being taken-- 007:021 for these men hold office without any oath having been taken, but He holds it attested by an oath from Him who said to Him, "The Lord has sworn and will not recall His words, Thou art a Priest for ever"-- 007:022 so much the more also is the Covenant of which Jesus has become the guarantor, a better covenant. 007:023 And they have been appointed priests many in number, because death prevents their continuance in office: