First ReadingHebrews 7:1-3, 15-17
From the Letter to the Hebrews
1For this Melchizedek,king of Salem, priest of God Most High,who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,2to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first,by interpretation,“king of righteousness”,and then also “king of Salem”,which means “king of peace”,3without father, without mother,without genealogy,having neither beginning of days nor end of life,but made like the Son of God),remains a priest continually. verses 4–14 are not read15This is yet more abundantly evident,if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,16who has been made,not after the law of a fleshly commandment,but after the power of an endless life;17for it is testified,
“You are a priest forever,according to the order of Melchizedek.”