The New American Bible: The Leading Catholic Resource for Understanding Holy Scripture

The reason for our confusion is that we usually read the Bible as a series of disconnected stories, each with a “moral” for how we should live our lives. It is not. Rather, it comprises a single story, telling us how the human race got into its present condition, and how God through Jesus Christ has come and will come to put things right.

Note the writer’s statements about Jewish customs and the explanation that Jesus brought a new covenant (of grace through faith) that is infinitely better than the old one (of obedience to the law). Pay attention to the repeated use of the words “better” and “superior.”

18And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High.[39] 19He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High,[39] maker of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High,[39] who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him one-tenth of everything. 21Then the king of Sodom said t