6 Melchizedek was not from the tribe of Levi, but he collected a tenth from Abraham. And he blessed Abraham, the man who had God’s promises.
7 Now everyone knows that the more important person blesses the less important person.
8 Priests receive a tenth, even though they are only men who live and then die. But Melchizedek, who received a tenth from Abraham, continues living, as the Scripture says.
9 We might even say that Levi, who receives a tenth, also paid it when Abraham paid Melchizedek a tenth.
10 Levi was not yet born, but he was in the body of his ancestor when Melchizedek met Abraham.
11 The people were given the law concerning the system of priests from the tribe of Levi, but they could not be made perfect through that system. So there was a need for another priest to come, a priest like Melchizedek, not Aaron.
12 And when a different kind of priest comes, the law must be changed, too.