Hebrews

The Perfect High Priest

1Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

2He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness.

3That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

4No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.

5So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son;today I have become Your Father.”

6And in another passage God says: “You are a priest foreverin the order of Melchizedek.”

7During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.

8Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered.

9And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him

10and was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Milk and Solid Food

11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing.

12Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word.You need milk, not solid food!

13For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness.

14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.

1For 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.

2The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness.

3Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself.

4Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was.

5So 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.”

6As he says also in another place,“You are a priest forever,after the order of Melchizedek.”

7He, 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,

8though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered.

9Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation,

10named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

11About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing.

12For 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.

13For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby.

14But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.