Christ, a High Priest

For every high priest taken from among men is appointed in matters pertaining to God for the people, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also clothed with weakness.(A) Because of this, he must make an offering for his own sins as well as for the people.(B) No one takes this honor on himself; instead, a person is called by God, just as Aaron was.(C) In the same way, Christ did not exalt himself to become a high priest, but God who said to him,

You are my Son;
today I have become your Father,[a][b] (D)

also says in another place,

You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek.[c](E)

During his earthly life,[d] he offered prayers and appeals(F) with loud cries and tears(G) to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.(H) After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Problem of Immaturity

11 We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand. 12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food.(I) 13 Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.(J)

Footnotes

  1. 5:5 Lit I have begotten you
  2. 5:5 Ps 2:7
  3. 5:6 Gn 14:18–20; Ps 110:4
  4. 5:7 Lit In the days of his flesh

For every high priest chosen from among men (A)is appointed to act on behalf of men (B)in relation to God, (C)to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. (D)He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself (E)is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins (F)just as he does for those of the people. And (G)no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, (H)just as Aaron was.

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

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

as he says also in another place,

(K)“You are a priest forever,
    after the order of Melchizedek.”

In the days of his flesh, (L)Jesus[a] offered up prayers and supplications, (M)with loud cries and tears, to him (N)who was able to save him from death, and (O)he was heard because of his reverence. Although (P)he was a son, (Q)he learned obedience through what he suffered. And (R)being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest (S)after the order of Melchizedek.

Warning Against Apostasy

11 About this we have much to say, and it is (T)hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again (U)the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need (V)milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is (W)a child. 14 But solid food is for (X)the mature, for those who have their powers (Y)of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 5:7 Greek he