Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it.

and in one case tithes are received by mortal men, while in the other by him who is affirmed to be alive.

On the one hand a former command is set aside because it is weak and useless,

And since this was not done without a sworn affirmation – for the others have become priests without a sworn affirmation,

And the others who became priests were numerous, because death prevented them from continuing in office,

Now the first covenant, in fact, had regulations for worship and its earthly sanctuary.

In fact, if they had been thinking of the land that they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.

Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken.

Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.

So with these things prepared like this, the priests enter continually into the outer tent as they perform their duties.

At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and afflictions, and at other times you came to share with others who were treated in that way.

And he says of the angels, “He makes his angels spirits and his ministers a flame of fire,”

To him also Abraham apportioned a tithe of everything. His name first means king of righteousness, then king of Salem, that is, king of peace.

So it was necessary for the sketches of the things in heaven to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves required better sacrifices than these.

And every priest stands day after day serving and offering the same sacrifices again and again – sacrifices that can never take away sins.

Besides, we have experienced discipline from our earthly fathers and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life?

For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness.

And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have authorization according to the law to collect a tithe from the people, that is, from their fellow countrymen, although they too are descendants of Abraham.

So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood – for on that basis the people received the law – what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron’s order?