Add parallel Print Page Options

For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness. Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself. Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was. So also Christ didn’t glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him,

“You are my Son.
    Today I have become your father.”Psalm 2:7

As he says also in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
    after the order of Melchizedek.”Psalm 110:4

He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation, 10 named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

11 About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing. 12 For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the revelations of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. 13 For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. 14 But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness,(A) and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honor but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.(B)

So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest but was appointed by[a] the one who said to him,

“You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you”;(C)

as he says also in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
    according to the order of Melchizedek.”(D)

In the days of his flesh, Jesus[b] offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.(E) Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered,(F) and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,(G) 10 having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Warning against Falling Away

11 About this[c] we have much to say that is hard to explain, since you have become sluggish in hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,(H) 13 for everyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is unskilled in the word of righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.(I)

Footnotes

  1. 5.5 Gk lacks was appointed by
  2. 5.7 Gk he
  3. 5.11 Or him