12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe,t and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.u 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah,v and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 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.”a w

18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and uselessx 19 (for the law made nothing perfect),y and a better hopez is introduced, by which we draw near to God.a

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 sworn

and will not change his mind:b

‘You are a priest forever.’ ”b c

22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.d