1For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God the Highest, met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.2To whom also Abraham gave a tenth of all. First, being interpreted king of righteousness, then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.3Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but having been made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.4Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth from the best spoils.5And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a commandment according to the law to tithe the people, that is, their brothers, although they have come out of the loins of Abraham.6But the one who does not trace his descent from them tithed Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.7Without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.8And here mortal men receive tithes, but there one is testified to be living.9And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes.10For he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.