5. They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the Torah, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham,
6. but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.
7. But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8. Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives.
9. We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,
10. for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him.
11. Now perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12. For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law.
13. For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
14. For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
15. This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,
16. who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life: