Hebrews 7:11-28 - The Superiority Of Jesus To Melchizedek
11 Now if perfection had been reached through the Levitical priesthood -- for on it as a basis even the law was enacted for the people-- what further need would there have been of appointing a different priest, with the rank of Melchizedek, instead of designating one with the rank of Aaron? 12 For when a change in the priesthood takes place, a change in its law necessarily takes place. 13 For He of whom this is said became a member of a different tribe no member of which ever officiated at the altar. 14 For it is very clear that our Lord sprang from Judah, a tribe about which Moses said nothing as to priests.
15 And it is still more overwhelmingly clear, since a different priest in the likeness of Melchizedek is appointed, 16 who is appointed not on the basis of a physical qualification but on the basis of a power flowing from a life that cannot end. 17 For the Scripture bears witness: "You are a priest forever, with the rank of Melchizedek."
18 Indeed, the rescinding of a previous regulation takes place, because it was weak and ineffective -- 19 for the law had never made anything perfect -- and so a better hope is brought to us, through which we have approach to God.
20 And by so much as He was not appointed without God's taking an oath -- 21 for the Levitical priests were appointed without His taking an oath, but He with His oath, when He said to Him: "The Lord took oath and will not change, You are a priest forever" --
22 so much the more Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 And the Levitical priests, on the one hand, have become numerous, because they have been prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but He, on the other hand, because He Himself lives on forever, enjoys the only priesthood that has no successors in office. 25 Therefore, because He Himself lives always to intercede for them always, He is able to save completely any and all who come to God through Him.
26 For we needed such a High Priest, holy, innocent, unstained, far removed from sinful men, and elevated far above the very heavens, 27 who does not need, as did the Levitical priests, to offer sacrifices, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; this latter is just what He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints imperfect men as high priests, but the assertion about the taking of an oath, which was spoken after the time of the law, appoints a Son who is perfectly qualified to be High Priest forever.