Hebrews 7:16-24

16one 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.

17For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

18The 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.

20And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath,

21but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’ ”

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

23Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office;

24but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.