Thursday, December 17

1For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

2to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated 'king of righteousness,' and then also king of Salem, meaning '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.

4Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.

5And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham;

6but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.

10So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant.

11And they asked Him, saying, 'Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?'

12Then He answered and told them, 'Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt?

13But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.'

14And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them.

15Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him.

16And He asked the scribes, 'What are you discussing with them?'