7

And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

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

If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.