11. The people were given the law concerning the system of priests from the tribe of Levi. But they could not be made spiritually perfect through that system of priests. So there was a need for another priest to come. I mean a priest like Melchizedek, not Aaron.
12. And when a different kind of priest comes, the law must be changed, too.
13. We are saying these things about Christ. He belonged to a different tribe. No one from that tribe ever served as a priest at the altar.
14. It is clear that our Lord came from the tribe of Judah. And Moses said nothing about priests belonging to that tribe.
15. And this becomes even more clear. We see that another priest comes, who is like Melchizedek.
16. He was not made a priest by human rules and laws. He became a priest through the power of his life, which continues forever.
17. In the Scriptures, this is said about him:“You are a priest forever,a priest like Melchizedek.” Psalm 110:4
18. The old rule is now set aside because it was weak and useless.
19. The law of Moses could not make anything perfect. But now a better hope has been given to us. And with this hope we can come near to God.
20. Also, it is important that God made an oath when he made Jesus high priest. When the others became priests, there was no oath.
21. But Christ became a priest with God’s oath. God said:“The Lord has made a promiseand will not change his mind.‘You are a priest forever.’” Psalm 110:4
22. So this means that Jesus is the guarantee of a better agreement from God to his people.
23. Also, when one of the other priests died, he could not continue being a priest. So there were many priests.