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) 16} Let us then approach^(H) God’s throne of grace with confidence,^(I) so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

5 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God,^(J) to offer gifts and sacrifices^(K) for sins.^{(L) 2} He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray,^(M) since he himself is subject to weakness.^{(N) 3} This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.^{(O) 4} And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.^(P)

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

⁶ And he says in another place,

⁷ During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions^(W) with fervent cries and tears^(X) to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard^(Y) because of his reverent submission.^{(Z) 8} Son^(AA) though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered^{(AB) 9} and, once made perfect,^(AC) he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him ¹⁰ and was designated by God to be high priest^(AD) in the order of Melchizedek.^(AE)

Warning Against Falling Away^(AF)

¹¹ We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. ¹² In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths^(AG) of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!^{(AH) 13} Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,^(AI) is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature,^(AJ) who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.^(AK)

6 Therefore let us move beyond^(AL) the elementary teachings^(AM) about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,^[d](AN) and of faith in God, ² instruction about cleansing rites,^[e](AO) the laying on of hands,^(AP) the resurrection of the dead,^(AQ) and eternal judgment. ³ And God permitting,^(AR) we will do so.

⁴ It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened,^(AS) who have tasted the heavenly gift,^(AT) who have shared in the Holy Spirit,^{(AU) 5} who have tasted the goodness^(AV) of the word of God^(AW) and the powers of the coming age ⁶ and who have fallen^[f] away, to be brought back to repentance.^(AX) To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God^(AY) all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. ⁷ Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. ⁸ But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed.^(AZ) In the end it will be burned.

⁹ Even though we speak like this, dear friends,^(BA) we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. ¹⁰ God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.^{(BB) 11} We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope^(BC) for may be fully realized. ¹² We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate^(BD) those who through faith and patience^(BE) inherit what has been promised.^(BF)

The Certainty of God’s Promise

¹³ When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,^{(BG) 14} saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”^{[g](BH) 15} And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.^(BI)

¹⁶ People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.^{(BJ) 17} Because God wanted to make the unchanging^(BK) nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,^(BL) he confirmed it with an oath. ¹⁸ God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,^(BM) we who have fled to take hold of the hope^(BN) set before us may be greatly encouraged. ¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,^{(BO) 20} where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.^(BP) He has become a high priest^(BQ) forever, in the order of Melchizedek.^(BR)