for, doubtless, of messengers it doth not lay hold, but of seed of Abraham it layeth hold,

that through two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, a strong comfort we may have who did flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us,

and those, indeed, out of the sons of Levi receiving the priesthood, a command have to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, their brethren, even though they came forth out of the loins of Abraham;

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?

for the priesthood being changed, of necessity also, of the law a change doth come,

who came not according to the law of a fleshly command, but according to the power of an endless life,

(for nothing did the law perfect) and the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw nigh to God.

for the law doth appoint men chief priests, having infirmity, but the word of the oath that is after the law appointeth the Son -- to the age having been perfected.

for if, indeed, he were upon earth, he would not be a priest -- (there being the priests who are offering according to the law, the gifts,

For finding fault, He saith to them, 'Lo, days come, saith the Lord, and I will complete with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah, a new covenant,

for every command having been spoken, according to law, by Moses, to all the people, having taken the blood of the calves and goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, he both the book itself and all the people did sprinkle,

and with blood almost all things are purified according to the law, and apart from blood-shedding forgiveness doth not come.

For the law having a shadow of the coming good things -- not the very image of the matters, every year, by the same sacrifices that they offer continually, is never able to make perfect those coming near,

then I said, Lo, I come, (in a volume of the book it hath been written concerning me,) to do, O God, Thy will;'

saying above -- 'Sacrifice, and offering, and burnt-offerings, and concerning sin-offering Thou didst not will, nor delight in,' -- which according to the law are offered --

then he said, 'Lo, I come to do, O God, Thy will;' he doth take away the first that the second he may establish;

any one who did set at nought a law of Moses, apart from mercies, by two or three witnesses, doth die,