The Book of Melchisedec I

Abram and the Covenant of Tithes

1And now during the reign of Melchisedek and in those days there arose wars among the kings of the surrounding lands, for the rulers of the nations contended continually for power and dominion over the valleys and the trade routes of the earth.

2And certain eastern kings came with great armies and made war upon the cities of the plain.

3And they subdued the cities thereof and carried away captives and riches.

4And among those cities which were overcome was Sodom, where a man named Lot dwelt.

5And Lot was the kinsman of Abram, who lived in the land of Canaan and had become a man of great faith before the Lord.

6And when Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive by the invading kings, his heart was stirred within him.

7For Abram was a man who trusted in the Lord and believed that the Most High would defend those who walked in righteousness.

8Therefore he gathered together the servants of his household and armed them, and he pursued the armies of the kings who had carried away the captives.

9And Abram sought the Lord before going into battle, and the Spirit of the Lord strengthened him.

10And the Lord gave Abram victory over the kings of the east.

11And Abram rescued Lot and the captives who had been taken.

12And he recovered the goods and the possessions which had been carried away.

13And as Abram returned from the battle with those who were with him, he passed through the valley which lay near unto the city of Salem.

14And Melchisedec, who was both king and high priest of the Most High God, went forth from the city to meet him.

15For Melchisedec perceived by the Spirit of the Lord that Abram was a man of faith and that the hand of God had been with him in the battle.

16And Melchisedec brought forth bread and wine and gave them unto Abram and unto those who were with him, that they might be refreshed after their labors.

17And this bread and wine were given as symbols of the covenant of God and of the peace which dwelt in the city of Salem.

18And Melchisedec lifted up his voice and blessed Abram before the Lord.

19Saying:

20Blessed be Abram of the Most High God, possessor of heaven and earth.

21And blessed be the Most High God who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.

22And Abram heard these words and was filled with reverence.

23For he perceived that Melchisedec spoke with the authority of the Holy Order of God.

24And Abram knew that the priesthood which Melchisedec held was greater than the authority of kings.

25For the kings of the earth ruled by armies and by dominion.

26But Melchisedec ruled by righteousness and by the authority of heaven.

27And Abram had not yet received the name by which he would later be known among the nations.

28For the Lord had not yet changed his name from Abram unto Abraham.

29Neither had he yet received the fullness of the covenant which would be given unto him in later days.

30Nevertheless Abram recognized the authority of the priesthood which Melchisedec held.

31For the Spirit of the Lord bore witness unto him that Melchisedec was a high priest of the Most High God.

32And Abram desired to show honor unto the Holy Order which Melchisedec represented.

33Therefore he brought forth a tenth part of all the goods which he had obtained in the battle.

34And he presented this tithe unto Melchisedec.

35Not as tribute unto a king of the earth.

36But as an offering unto God through His high priest.

37For Abram understood that the earth and the fullness thereof belong unto the Lord.

38And that all blessings come from the hand of the Most High.

39Therefore the tithe was given as a sign of gratitude and covenant before God.

40And Melchisedec received the tithe and blessed Abram again according to the authority of the Holy Order.

41And he said unto him:

42Abram, thou art blessed of the Most High.

43For thy faith hath been great among the children of men.

44Continue to walk uprightly before Jehovah.

45And the Lord shall establish His covenant with thee and with thy seed after thee.

46And thy posterity shall become a blessing unto many nations.

47And Abram spoke long with Melchisedec concerning the purposes of God and the covenant which the Lord had prepared for the righteous.

48And Melchisedec taught him further concerning the Holy Order which had been established from the foundation of the world.

49And Abram received these teachings with humility and faith.

50And when Abram departed from Salem he was strengthened in the Spirit of the Lord.

51And he continued his journey in faith, awaiting the promises which God would yet reveal unto him.

52And the fame of Melchisedec, the priest-king of Salem, spread even further among the nations.

53For many heard how Abram, a man blessed of God, had honored the priesthood of the Most High by giving tithes unto the king of Salem. The Book of Melchisedec The Salem Record