5. Now the law lays down a rule for the sons of Levi who become priests. They must collect a tenth from the people. They must collect it even from those who belong to the family line of Abraham.
6. Melchizedek did not trace his family line from Levi. But he collected a tenth from Abraham. Melchizedek blessed the one who had received the promises.
7. Without a doubt, the more important person blesses the less important one.
8. In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die. But in the other case, it is collected by the one who is said to be living.
9. Levi collects the tenth. But we might say that Levi paid the tenth through Abraham.
10. That's because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in Abraham's body.
11. Suppose the Levites who were priests could have made people perfect. The law was given to the people so they could become perfect through the priests. Then why was there still a need for another priest to come? And why did he need to be like Melchizedek? Why wasn't he from Aaron's family line?
12. A change of priests requires a change of law.
13. Those things are said about one who is from a different tribe. No one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.
14. It is clear that our Lord came from the family line of Judah. Moses said nothing about priests who were from that tribe.
15. But suppose another priest like Melchizedek appears. Then what we have said is even more clear.
16. He has not become a priest because of a rule about his family line. He has become a priest because of his powerful life. His life can never be destroyed.
17. Scripture says, "You are a priest forever, just like Melchizedek." (Psalm 110:4)
18. The old rule is done away with. It was weak and useless.
19. The law didn't make anything perfect. Now a better hope has been given to us. That hope brings us near to God.
20. The change of priests was made with an oath. Others became priests without any oath.
21. But Jesus became a priest with an oath. God said to him, "The Lord has taken an oath and made a promise. He will not change his mind. He has said, 'You are a priest forever.' " (Psalm 110:4)
22. Because of that oath, Jesus makes the promise of a better covenant certain.
23. There were many priests in Levi's family line. Death kept them from continuing in office.