For he was still in his ancestor Abraham’s loins when Melchizedek met him.

And this is even clearer if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,

then he says, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no longer.”

For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

And others experienced mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.

“For I will be merciful toward their evil deeds, and their sins I will remember no longer.”

For otherwise would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers would have been purified once for all and so have no further consciousness of sin?

Now this phrase “once more” indicates the removal of what is shaken, that is, of created things, so that what is unshaken may remain.

The Holy Spirit is making clear that the way into the holy place had not yet appeared as long as the old tabernacle was standing.

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets.

Then his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “I will once more shake not only the earth but heaven too.”

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?

By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith he still speaks, though he is dead.