Letters to the Churches

For he testifieth: Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.

There is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment, because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof:

For the law brought nothing to perfection: but a bringing in of a better hope, by which we draw nigh to God.

And inasmuch as it is not without an oath (for the others indeed were made priests without an oath:

But this with an oath, by him that said unto him: The Lord hath sworn and he will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever).

By so much is Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

And the others indeed were made many priests, because by reason of death they were not suffered to continue:

But this, for that he continueth for ever, hath an everlasting priesthood:

Whereby he is able also to save for ever them that come to God by him; always living to make intercession for us.

For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens:

Who needeth not daily (as the other priests) to offer sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, in offering himself.

For the law maketh men priests, who have infirmity: but the word of the oath (which was since the law) the Son who is perfected for evermore.

Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum: We have such an high priest who is set on the right hand of the throne of majesty in the heavens,

A minister of the holies and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath pitched, and not man.

For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that he also should have some thing to offer.

If then he were on earth, he would not be a priest: seeing that there would be others to offer gifts according to the law.

Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things. As it was answered to Moses, when he was to finish the tabernacle: See (saith he) that thou make all things according to the pattern which was shewn thee on the mount.

But now he hath obtained a better ministry, by how much also he is a mediator of a better testament which is established on better promises.

For if that former had been faultless, there should not indeed a place have been sought for a second.

For, finding fault with them, he saith: Behold the days shall come, saith the Lord: and I will perfect, unto the house of Israel and unto the house of Juda, a new testament:

Not according to the testament which I made to their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt: because they continued not in my testament: and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

For this is the testament which I will make to the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: I will give my laws into their mind: and in their heart will I write them. And I will be their God: and they shall be my people.

And they shall not teach every man his neighbour and every man his brother, saying: Know the Lord. For all shall know me, from the least to the greatest of them.

Because I will be merciful to their iniquities: and their sins I will remember no more.

Now in saying a new, he hath made the former old. And that which decayeth and groweth old is near its end.