11. If indeed, then, perfection were through the Levitical priesthood--for the people under it had received law--what further need, according to the order of Melchisedek, for another priest to arise, and not to be called according to the order of Aaron?
12. for the priesthood being changed, of necessity also, of the law a change doth come,
13. for he of whom these things are said in another tribe hath had part, of whom no one gave attendance at the altar,
14. for [it is] evident that out of Judah hath arisen our Lord, in regard to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15. And it is yet more abundantly most evident, if according to the similitude of Melchisedek there doth arise another priest,
16. who came not according to the law of a fleshly command, but according to the power of an endless life,
17. for He doth testify--`Thou [art] a priest--to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;'
18. for a disannulling indeed doth come of the command going before because of its weakness, and unprofitableness,
19. (for nothing did the law perfect) and the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw nigh to God.
20. And inasmuch as [it is] not apart from oath, (for those indeed apart from oath are become priests,
21. and he with an oath through Him who is saying unto him, `The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest--to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;')
22. by so much of a better covenant hath Jesus become surety,
23. and those indeed are many who have become priests, because by death they are hindered from remaining;
24. and he, because of his remaining--to the age, hath the priesthood not transient,
25. whence also he is able to save to the very end, those coming through him unto God- -ever living to make intercession for them.
26. For such a chief priest did become us--kind, harmless, undefiled, separate from the sinners, and become higher than the heavens,