Jesús como Sumo Sacerdote

Porque todo sumo sacerdote tomado de entre los hombres(A) es constituido a favor de los hombres en las cosas que a Dios se refieren(B), para presentar ofrendas y sacrificios(C) por los pecados(D); y puede[a] obrar con benignidad[b](E) para con los ignorantes(F) y extraviados(G), puesto que él mismo está sujeto a flaquezas(H); y por esa causa está obligado a ofrecer sacrificios por los pecados(I), tanto por sí mismo como por el pueblo(J). Y nadie toma este honor para sí mismo(K), sino que lo recibe cuando es llamado por Dios, así como lo fue Aarón(L). De la misma manera, Cristo no se glorificó a sí mismo(M) para hacerse Sumo Sacerdote(N), sino que lo glorificó el que le dijo(O):

Hijo mío eres tú,
Yo te he engendrado hoy(P);

como también dice en otro pasaje:

Tú eres sacerdote para siempre
según el orden de Melquisedec(Q).

Cristo[c], en los días de su carne, habiendo ofrecido oraciones y súplicas(R) con gran clamor y lágrimas(S) al que podía librarle[d](T) de la muerte, fue oído a causa de su temor reverente(U); y aunque era Hijo(V), aprendió obediencia(W) por lo que padeció; y habiendo sido hecho perfecto(X), vino a ser fuente[e] de eterna salvación para todos los que le obedecen, 10 siendo constituido por Dios sumo sacerdote(Y) según el orden de Melquisedec(Z).

Crecimiento en la madurez espiritual

11 Acerca de esto[f] tenemos mucho que decir, y es difícil de explicar, puesto que os habéis hecho tardos para oír. 12 Pues aunque ya[g] debierais ser maestros, otra vez tenéis necesidad de que alguien os enseñe los principios(AA) elementales[h](AB) de los oráculos de Dios(AC), y habéis llegado a tener necesidad de leche(AD) y no de alimento sólido. 13 Porque todo el que toma solo leche, no está acostumbrado a la palabra de justicia, porque es niño(AE). 14 Pero el alimento sólido es para los adultos[i](AF), los cuales por la práctica tienen los sentidos ejercitados(AG) para discernir el bien y el mal(AH).

Footnotes

  1. Hebreos 5:2 Lit., pudiendo
  2. Hebreos 5:2 O, compasión
  3. Hebreos 5:7 Lit., El cual
  4. Hebreos 5:7 O, salvarle
  5. Hebreos 5:9 O, autor
  6. Hebreos 5:11 O, El
  7. Hebreos 5:12 Lit., por causa del tiempo
  8. Hebreos 5:12 Lit., elementos del principio
  9. Hebreos 5:14 O, los que han alcanzado madurez

Qualifications for the Priesthood

For every high priest selected from among men is appointed to officiate on their behalf[a] in matters relating to God, that is, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with people who are ignorant and easily deceived, since he himself is subject to weakness. For that reason he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as for those of the people. No one takes this honor upon himself but he is called to it by God, just as Aaron was.

The Messiah’s Qualifications as High Priest

In the same way, the Messiah[b] did not take upon himself the glory of being a high priest. No, it was God who said[c] to him,

“You are my Son.
    Today I have become your Father.”[d]

As he also says in another place,

“You are a priest forever
    according to the order of Melchizedek.”[e]

As a mortal man,[f] he offered up prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his devotion to God. Son though he was, he learned obedience through his sufferings and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 having been designated by God to be a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

You Still Need Someone to Teach You

11 We have much to say about this,[g] but it is difficult to explain because you have become too lazy to understand. 12 In fact, though by now you should be teachers, you still need someone to teach you the basic truths of God’s word.[h] You have become people who need milk instead of solid food. 13 For everyone who lives on milk is still a baby and does not yet know the difference between right and wrong.[i] 14 But solid food is for mature people, whose minds are trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 5:1 Lit. on behalf of men
  2. Hebrews 5:5 Or Christ
  3. Hebrews 5:5 Lit. He said
  4. Hebrews 5:5 Cf. Ps 2:7
  5. Hebrews 5:6 Cf. Ps 110:4
  6. Hebrews 5:7 Lit. During the days of his flesh
  7. Hebrews 5:11 Or about him
  8. Hebrews 5:12 Or oracles
  9. Hebrews 5:13 Lit. and is inexperienced in the message of righteousness

Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God,(A) to offer gifts and sacrifices(B) for sins.(C) He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray,(D) since he himself is subject to weakness.(E) This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.(F) And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.(G)

In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory(H) of becoming a high priest.(I) But God said(J) to him,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father.”[a](K)

And he says in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.(L)[b](M)

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions(N) with fervent cries and tears(O) to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard(P) because of his reverent submission.(Q) Son(R) though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered(S) and, once made perfect,(T) he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest(U) in the order of Melchizedek.(V)

Warning Against Falling Away(W)

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(X) of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!(Y) 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,(Z) is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature,(AA) who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.(AB)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 5:5 Psalm 2:7
  2. Hebrews 5:6 Psalm 110:4