¹⁷ For this reason he had to be made like them,^[a](A) fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful^(B) and faithful high priest^(C) in service to God,^(D) and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.^(E)

Jesus Greater Than Moses

3 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters,^(A) who share in the heavenly calling,^(B) fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge^(C) as our apostle and high priest.^(D)

Jesus the Great High Priest

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest^(A) who has ascended into heaven,^[a](B) Jesus the Son of God,^(C) let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.^{(D) 15} For we do not have a high priest^(E) who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are^(F)—yet he did not sin.^(G)

⁵ In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory^(A) of becoming a high priest.^(B) But God said^(C) to him,

¹⁰ and was designated by God to be high priest^(A) in the order of Melchizedek.^(B)

²⁰ where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.^(A) He has become a high priest^(B) forever, in the order of Melchizedek.^(C)

³ Without father or mother, without genealogy,^(A) without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God,^(B) he remains a priest forever.

Jesus Like Melchizedek

¹¹ If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people^(A) established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come,^(B) one in the order of Melchizedek,^(C) not in the order of Aaron?

¹⁴ For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah,^(A) and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. ¹⁵ And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, ¹⁶ one 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. ¹⁷ For it is declared: