6 Therefore ^(A)let us leave ^(B)the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance ^(C)from dead works and of faith toward God,

¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again ^(A)the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need ^(B)milk, not solid food, ¹³ for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is ^(C)a child. ¹⁴ But solid food is for ^(D)the mature, for those who have their powers ^(E)of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

¹⁴ how much more will ^(A)the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit ^(B)offered himself without blemish to God, ^(C)purify our^[a] conscience ^(D)from dead works ^(E)to serve the living God.

7 Since we have these promises, beloved, ^(A)let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body^[a] and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Straining Toward the Goal

¹² Not that I have already ^(A)obtained this or ^(B)am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: ^(C)forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for ^(D)the prize of the upward ^(E)call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let those of us who are ^(F)mature think this way, and if in anything ^(G)you think otherwise, ^(H)God will reveal that also to you.

¹³ and ^(A)make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint ^(B)but rather be healed.

²⁰ but declared first ^(A)to those in Damascus, ^(B)then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also ^(C)to the Gentiles, that they should ^(D)repent and ^(E)turn to God, performing deeds ^(F)in keeping with their repentance.

³² For John came to you ^(A)in the way of righteousness, and ^(B)you did not believe him, but ^(C)the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward ^(D)change your minds and believe him.

Jesus Compared to Melchizedek

^11 (A)Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?