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For every high priest taken from amongst men is established for men in things relating to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins;

being able to exercise forbearance towards the ignorant and erring, since he himself also is clothed with infirmity;

and, on account of this [infirmity], he ought, even as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

And no one takes the honour to himself but [as] called by God, even as Aaron also.

Thus the Christ also has not glorified himself to be made a high priest; but he who had said to him, *Thou* art my Son, *I* have to-day begotten thee.

Even as also in another [place] he says, *Thou* [art] a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec.

Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up both supplications and entreaties to him who was able to save him out of death, with strong crying and tears; (and having been heard because of his piety;)

though he were Son, he learned obedience from the things which he suffered;

and having been perfected, became to all them that obey him, author of eternal salvation;

10 addressed by God [as] high priest according to the order of Melchisedec.

11 Concerning whom we have much to say, and hard to be interpreted in speaking [of it], since ye are become dull in hearing.

12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have again need that [one] should teach you what [are] the elements of the beginning of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk, [and] not of solid food.

13 For every one that partakes of milk [is] unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe;

14 but solid food belongs to full-grown men, who, on account of habit, have their senses exercised for distinguishing both good and evil.

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