麦基洗德的祭司体系
这麦基洗德就是撒冷王，是至高神的祭司。他在亚伯拉罕打败诸王回来的时候迎接他，并给他祝福。
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;
2亚伯拉罕也将自己所得来的一切，取十分之一给他。他头一个名字翻译出来是“公义的王”，他又名“撒冷王”，是和平王的意思。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;
3他无父、无母、无族谱、无生之始、无命之终，是与神的儿子相似，他永远作祭司。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.
4你们想一想，这个人多么伟大啊！连先祖亚伯拉罕都拿战利品的十分之一给他。Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5那得祭司职分的利未子孙，奉命照例向百姓取十分之一，这百姓是自己的弟兄，虽是从亚伯拉罕亲身生的，还是照例取十分之一。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:
6惟独麦基洗德那不与他们同族谱的，从亚伯拉罕收取了十分之一，并且给蒙应许的亚伯拉罕祝福。But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7向来位分大的给位分小的祝福，这是无可争议的。And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
8在这事上，一方面，收取十分之一的都是必死的人；另一方面，收取十分之一的却是那位被证实是活着的。And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9我们可以说，那接受十分之一的利未也是藉着亚伯拉罕纳了十分之一，And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10因为麦基洗德迎接亚伯拉罕的时候，利未还在他先祖的身体里面。For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
11那么，如果百姓藉着利未人的祭司职任能达到完全—因为百姓是在这职分下领受律法的—为什么还需要按照麦基洗德的体系另外兴起一位祭司，而不按照亚伦的体系呢？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?
12既然祭司的职分已更改，律法也需要更改。For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
13因为这些话所指的人本属别的支派，那支派里从来没有一人在祭坛前事奉的。For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14很明显地，我们的主是从犹大出来的；但关于这支派，摩西并没有提到祭司。For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15倘若有另一位像麦基洗德的祭司兴起来，我的话就更显而易见了。And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16他成为祭司，并不是照属肉身的条例，而是照无穷☛“无穷”：原文直译“不能毁坏”。生命的大能。Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17因为有给他作见证的说： “你是照着麦基洗德的体系 永远为祭司。”For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
18一方面，先前的诫命因软弱无能而废掉了，For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19（律法本来就不能成就什么）；另一方面，一个更好的指望被引进来，靠这指望，我们就可以亲近神。For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20再者，耶稣成为祭司，并不是没有神的誓言；其他的祭司被指派时并没有这种誓言，And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21只有耶稣是起誓立的，因为那位立他的对他说： “主起了誓， 绝不改变。 你是永远为祭司。”(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
22既是起誓立的，耶稣也作了更美之约的中保。By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23一方面，那些成为祭司的数目本来多，是因为受死亡限制不能长久留住。And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24另一方面，这位既是永远留住的，他具有不可更换的祭司职任。But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25所以，凡靠着他进到神面前的人，他都能拯救到底，因为他长远活着为他们祈求。Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26这样一位圣洁、无邪恶、无玷污、远离罪人、高过诸天的大祭司，对我们是最合适的；For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27他不像那些大祭司，每日必须先为自己的罪，后为百姓的罪献祭，因为他只一次将自己献上就把这事成全了。Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28律法所立的大祭司本是有弱点的人，但在律法以后，神以起誓的话立了儿子为大祭司，成为完全，直到永远。For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.