And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of thy hands:

that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us:

And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest's office have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though these have come out of the loins of Abraham:

Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron?

For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

who hath been made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life:

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

For the law appointeth men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, appointeth a Son, perfected for evermore.

Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law;

For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses unto all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,

And according to the law, I may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.

For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw nigh.

Then said I, Lo, I am come (In the roll of the book it is written of me) To do thy will, O God.

Saying above, Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and'sacrifices for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein (the which are offered according to the law),

then hath he said, Lo, I am come to do thy will. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

A man that hath set at nought Moses law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses:

Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,