For assuredly it is not to angels that He is continually reaching a helping hand, but it is to the descendants of Abraham.

For when God gave the promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,

For this man, Melchizedek, King of Salem and priest of the Most High God--he who when Abraham was returning after defeating the kings met him and pronounced a blessing on him--

to whom also Abraham presented a tenth part of all--being first, as his name signifies, King of righteousness, and secondly King of Salem, that is, King of peace:

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.

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.

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.

And Levi too--if I may so speak--pays tithes through Abraham:

for Levi was yet in the loins of his forefather when Melchizedek met Abraham.

Through faith Abraham, upon being called to leave home and go into a land which he was soon to receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he was going to.

Through faith Abraham, as soon as God put him to the test, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had joyfully welcomed the promises was on the point of sacrificing his only son