16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.
17 For it is declared:"You are a priest forever,in the order of Melchizedek."
18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless
19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath,
21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:"The Lord has swornand will not change his mind:'You are a priest forever.'"
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.