5 For every high priest chosen from among men ^(A)is appointed to act on behalf of men ^(B)in relation to God, ^(C)to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. ^2 (D)He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself ^(E)is beset with weakness. ³ Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins ^(F)just as he does for those of the people. ⁴ And ^(G)no one takes this honour for himself, but only when called by God, ^(H)just as Aaron was.

⁵ So also Christ ^(I)did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,

⁶ as he says also in another place,

⁷ In the days of his flesh, ^(L)Jesus^[a] offered up prayers and supplications, ^(M)with loud cries and tears, to him ^(N)who was able to save him from death, and ^(O)he was heard because of his reverence. ⁸ Although ^(P)he was a son, ^(Q)he learned obedience through what he suffered. ⁹ And ^(R)being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, ¹⁰ being designated by God a high priest ^(S)after the order of Melchizedek.

Warning Against Apostasy

¹¹ About this we have much to say, and it is ^(T)hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. ¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again ^(U)the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need ^(V)milk, not solid food, ¹³ for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is ^(W)a child. ¹⁴ But solid food is for ^(X)the mature, for those who have their powers ^(Y)of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.