5 [^LFor] Every high priest is chosen from among ·the people [human beings; ^Cto represent humans, the priest must himself be human] and is ·given the work of going before God for them [^Lappointed to represent people in things related to God] to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. ² Since he himself is weak [^Csubject to human frailty, both physical and moral], he is able to be gentle with those who ·do not understand [are ignorant] and who are ·doing wrong things [easily deceived; wayward; going astray]. ³ Because he is weak, the high priest must offer sacrifices for his own sins and also for the sins of the people [Lev. 16].

⁴ To be a high priest is an honor, but no one ·chooses himself for this work [takes this office by his own authority; ^Ltakes this honor for himself]. He must be ·called [chosen] by God as Aaron was [^CMoses’ brother and Israel’s first high priest; Ex. 28:1]. ⁵ So also ·Christ [or the Messiah; ^Ceither a proper name or a title] did not ·choose himself to have the honor of being [^Lglorify/exalt himself by becoming] a high priest, but God ·chose [glorified; exalted] him. God said to him,

⁶ And in another Scripture God says,

⁷ ·While Jesus lived on earth [^LIn the days of his flesh/earthly life], he ·prayed to God and asked God for help [^Loffered prayers and petitions]. He prayed with loud cries and tears to the One who could save him from death, and his prayer was heard because ·he trusted God [^Lof his reverence/devotion; ^Creferring especially to Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane; Matt. 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:41, 44]. ⁸ Even though Jesus was ·the Son of God [or a son; ^Cwith all the rights and privileges of an heir], he learned obedience by what he suffered [^Cthrough total obedience to God, Jesus achieved the glorified or perfected state God originally intended for human beings; 2:3–9]. ⁹ And ·because his obedience was perfect [or having achieved perfection], he ·was able to give [^Lbecame the source/means of] eternal salvation to all who obey him. ¹⁰ In this way God ·made [designated; appointed] Jesus a high priest, ·a priest like [^Lin the priestly order/line of] Melchizedek [v. 6; Ps. 110:4].

Warning Against Falling Away

¹¹ We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are so ·slow to understand [hard of hearing; ^Cspiritually]. ¹² By now you should be teachers, but you need someone to teach you again the ·first lessons [elementary truths; basic principles] of God’s ·message [revelation; oracles]. You still need ·the teaching that is like milk [^Lmilk]. You are not ready for solid food. ¹³ [^LFor] Anyone who lives on milk is still a baby and ·knows nothing about [or is unskilled/inexperienced with] ·right teaching [or the message about righteousness]. ¹⁴ But solid food is for those who are ·grown up [mature]. ·They are mature enough […who through practice/exercise have trained their faculties/senses] to know the difference between good and evil.