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For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was.

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

“Thou art my Son,
today I have begotten thee”;[a]

as he says also in another place,

“Thou art a priest for ever,
after the order of Melchiz′edek.”

In the days of his flesh, Jesus[b] offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchiz′edek.

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Footnotes

  1. 5.1-5 If Jesus was to be mediator, he had to have a human nature like ours, and, moreover, he could not appoint himself, but had to be appointed by God.
  2. Hebrews 5:7 Greek he

Qualifications for High Priesthood

For every high priest taken from among men (A)is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can [a]have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to (B)weakness. Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for (C)himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as (D)Aaron was.

A Priest Forever

(E)So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

(F)“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.”

As He also says in another place:

(G)“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek”;

who, in the days of His flesh, when He had (H)offered up prayers and supplications, (I)with vehement cries and tears to Him (J)who was able to save Him from death, and was heard (K)because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned (L)obedience by the things which He suffered. And (M)having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest (N)“according to the order of Melchizedek,”

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 5:2 deal gently with