Christ, a High Priest

1For 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. 2He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also clothed with weakness.a 3Because of this, he must make an offering for his own sins as well as for the people.a 4No one takes this honor on himself; instead, a person is called by God, just as Aaron was.a 5In 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 a b

6also says in another place,

You are a priest forever

according to the order of Melchizedek.a b

7During his earthly life,A he offered prayers and appealsa with loud cries and tearsb to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.a 9After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Problem of Immaturity

11We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand. 12Although 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.a 13Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. 14But solid food is for the mature — for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.a