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For each bishop taken of men, is ordained for men in these things that be to God [in those things that be to God], that he offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

Which may together sorrow with them, that be unknowing and err [that know not and err]; for also he is environed with infirmity.

And therefore he oweth, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

Neither any man taketh to him honour, but he that is called of God, as Aaron was.

So [and] Christ clarified not himself, that he were bishop, but he that spake to him, Thou art my Son, to day I engendered thee [to day I gendered thee].

As [and] in another place he saith, Thou art a priest without end [Thou art a priest into without end], after the order of Melchisedec.

Which in the days of his flesh offered, with great cry and tears, prayers and beseechings to him that might make him safe from death, and was heard for his reverence.

And when he was God's Son, he learned obedience of these things that he suffered;

and he brought to the end is made cause of everlasting health [and he led to perfection is made cause of everlasting health] to all that obey him,

10 and is called of God a bishop, by the order of Melchisedec. [called of God a bishop, by the order of Melchisedec.]

11 Of whom there is to us a great word for to say, and able to be expounded, for ye be made feeble to hear.

12 For when ye ought to be masters for a time, again ye need that ye be taught, which be the letters of the beginning of God's words [which be the elements, or letters, of the beginning of God's words]. And ye be made those, to whom is need of milk, and not [of] firm meat.

13 For each that is partner of milk, is without part of the word of rightwiseness, for he is a little child.

14 But of perfect men is firm meat, of them that for custom have [their] wits exercised to discretion of good and of evil [of 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