If, then, there had been a perfect expiation by means of the Levitical priesthood, (for with reference to it, the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should be raised up after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

For he of whom these things are said, belongs to another tribe, from which no one attended upon the altar.

For it is very clear that our Lord sprung from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

And it is yet far more evident, if, after the likeness of Melchisedec, there arises another priest,

who is made, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life; for he testifies,

For, indeed, there is a setting aside of the preceding commandment, because it was weak and unprofitable,

(for the law made no perfect expiation), and the introduction of a better hope, by which we draw near to God.

(for those priests were made such without an oath, but this one with an oath, by him that said to him, The Lord swore, and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec;)

Wherefore, he is able also to save through all time those who come to God by him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

For such a high priest is suited to us, who is holy, harm less, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens;

who needs not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

For the law makes men high priests, who have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, makes the Son, who is perfected forever.

For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore, it is necessary that this one also have something which he may offer.

For if he were on earth, he could not be a priest; because there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second.

For, finding fault with them, he says: Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will ratify a new covenant for the house of Israel, and for the house of Judah:

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those days, says the Lord; putting my laws into their understanding, I will also write them upon their hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people;

and they shall not teach, every one his citizen, and every one his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest;

for a tabernacle was constructed, the first, in which were the candlestick, and the table, and the presence bread; and this tabernacle is called holy.

But into the second, the high priest alone went, once during the year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

entered, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, once for all, into the most holy, having obtained eternal redemption.

For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, cleanses them as it respects the purity of the flesh,

And for this reason, he is the mediator of the new covenant: that, since his death has taken place for the redemption of transgressions that were under the former covenant, those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

For where a testament is, it is necessary that there be brought in the death of the testator:

for a testament goes into effect after men are dead: seeing that it has no validity at all while the testator lives.

For when Moses had spoken to all the people every commandment of the law, lie took the blood of calves and of goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying:

For the Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, the copies of the true; but he has entered heaven itself, now to present himself in the presence of God for us.

for then, he must have suffered often since the foundation of the world. But now once in the end of the ages, he has appeared in order to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

so the Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and to those who look for him he will appear the second time, without a sin-offering, in order to salvation.

For the law, having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never, with the same sacrifices, which they offer year by year continually, make a perfect expiation for those who come to them:

for then, would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshipers, after being once cleansed, would no longer have a consciousness of sins.

For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

in whole burnt-offerings and offerings for sin, thou hast had no pleasure.

After saying above, Thou didst neither desire, nor take pleasure in sacrifice and offering and whole burnt-offerings and offerings for sin, which are offered according to the law,

By which will, we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

but after offering one sacrifice for sins, he himself sits continually at the right hand of God,

For by one offering, he has made a perfect and perpetual expiation for the sanctified.

And, indeed, the Holy Spirit is a witness for us. For after he had said before,

Now, where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

by a new and living way which he has dedicated for us, through the vail, that is, his flesh;

let us hold fast the unwavering confession of our hope, for he is faithful who has promised;

For if we sin willfully, after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no longer a sacrifice for sins;

but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and a fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

For we know him who has said, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. And again, The Lord will judge his people.

For you sympathized with me in my bonds, and endured joyfully the seizure of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better and abiding substance in the heavens.

For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

For yet a very, very little while, and He that comes will come, and will not delay.

Now, faith is a sure confidence with respect to things hoped for, a firm persuasion with respect to things not seen:

for by this the ancients obtained a good reputation.

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death, and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had the testimony that he pleased God.

But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

By faith Noah, after being warned concerning things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the salvation of his house; by which faith he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

By faith Abraham, when called to go out into a place that he should afterward receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

for he looked for a city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

By faith also Sarah herself received strength for the conception of seed, and brought forth a child when past the time of life, because she counted him faithful who had promised.

For those who say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country.

But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country; wherefore God is not ashamed of them, that he should be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.

for he concluded that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; wherefore he received him even in like manner.

By faith Moses was concealed by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child: and they feared not the command of the king.

By faith Moses, when he became a man, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,

choosing rather to suffer evil with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season;

esteeming the reproach on account of the Christ as greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he earnestly looked to the reward.

By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the anger of the king: for he patiently endured, as seeing him that is invisible.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after the people had gone around them for seven days.

And what further shall I say? For the time would fail me, were I to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah, of David also and Samuel, and of the prophets,

quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

because God had provided some better thing for us, that they, without us, should not be made perfect.

looking to Jesus the author and finisher of the faith, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider him that endured such opposition of sinners against himself, lest you become weary and despondent in your minds.

For, whom the Lord loves, he chastens, and scourges every son that he receives.

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons: for what son is there whose father chastens him not?

For they, indeed, for a few days, chastened us as they thought it good; but he chastens us for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness.

and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned aside; but rather let it be restored to health.

lest there be any lewd person, or profane man, as Esau, who, for a single meal, sold his birthright.

For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no means to change his father's mind, though he sought it earnestly with tears.

For you have not come to a mountain that may be touched, and that burns with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest,

for they could not endure that which was commanded, And if even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned:

and so terrible was the sight, that even Moses said, I exceedingly fear and tremble.

See that you reject not him that speaks: for if they es caped not who rejected that earthly man who gave the oracles, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that is from heaven,

Wherefore, as we receive a kingdom that can not be shaken, let us have gratitude, by which we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear:

for our God is a consuming fire.

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for, by this means, some have unconsciously entertained angels.

Let there be no money-loving disposition; be content with such things as you have. For he has said: I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you.

So, then, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man will do to me.

Be not carried away by various and strange teachings: for it is good that the heart be strengthened with grace, not with meats, which have not profited those who were occupied with them.

For the bodies of those animals whose blood, shed for sin, is carried by the high priest into the holiest, are burned with out the camp.

For here we have no abiding city, but we seek one to come.

But forget not to do good, and to be liberal: for with such, sacrifices God is well pleased.

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive: for they watch for your souls, as those who must give an account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for that would be fatal to you.

Pray for us: for we trust that we have a good conscience, willing to live honor ably in all things.

I beseech you, brethren, bear with my word of exhortation: for I have written to you in few words.

But let him ask in faith, doubting not: for he that doubts, is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind, and tossed.

For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing from the Lord.

For the sun rises with its burning heat, and withers the grass, and its flower falls, and the beauty of its form perishes. So, also, shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Blessed is the man that endures trial: for, being approved, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Let no one say, when he is tempted, My temptation is from God; for God can not be tempted by evils, and he himself tempts no man.

For the wrath of man produces not the righteousness of God.

For if any one is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man that looks at his natural face in a mirror:

for he looks at himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what sort of person he is.

My brethren, do not hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, so as to show a partiality for persons.