do minister to the
saints.

(11)But we desire that each one of you show the same diligence, for
the full assurance of the hope unto the end; (12)that ye may not
become slothful, but followers of those who through faith and patience
inherit the promises. (13)For when God made the promise to Abraham,
because he could swear by none greater, he swore by himself,
(14)saying: Surely, blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will
multiply thee. (15)And so, having patiently endured, he obtained the
promise. (16)For men indeed swear by the greater; and the oath is to
them an end of all gainsaying, for a confirmation. (17)Wherein God,
wishing more abundantly to show to the heirs of the promise the
immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; (18)that by two
immutable things, in which it is impossible that God should lie, we
may have strong encouragement, who fled for refuge to lay hold on the
hope set before us, (19)which we have as an anchor of the soul, sure
and steadfast, and entering within the vail; (20)where as forerunner
for us Jesus entered, having become a high priest forever, after the
order of Melchizedek.

VII.

FOR this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who
met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed
him; (2)to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of all; first indeed
being interpreted King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem,
which is, King of peace; (3)without father, without mother, without
table of descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of
life[7:3], but likened to the Son of God, remains a priest
continually.

(4)Now consider how great this man was, to whom Abraham the patriarch
also gave a tenth of the spoils. (5)And they indeed 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 have come out of the loins of
Abraham; (6)but he whose descent is not reckoned from them has taken
tithes of Abraham, and has blessed him who had the promises. (7)And
without any contradiction, the less is blessed by the better. (8)And
here indeed men who die receive tithes; but there, one of whom it is
testified that he lives. (9)And so to speak, Levi also, who receives
tithes, has paid tithes in Abraham; (10)for he was yet in the loins of
his father, when Melchizedek met him.

(11)If therefore perfection were by