A High Priest Like Melchizedek

¹ For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of people in the things relating to God, in order that he can offer both gifts and sacrifices on behalf of sins,

² being able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and led astray, since he himself also is surrounded by weakness,

³ and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins ⌞for himself also, as well as for the people⌟¹.

1. Literally “as for the people so also for himself”

⁴ And someone does not take for himself the honor, but is called by God, just as Aaron also was.

⁵ Thus also Christ did not glorify himself to become high priest, but the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you,”¹

1. A quotation from Ps 2:7

⁶ just as also in another place he says, “You are a priest ⌞forever⌟¹ according to the order of Melchizedek,”²

1. Literally “for the age”
2. A quotation from Ps 110:4

⁷ who in the days of his flesh offered up both prayers and supplications, with loud crying and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard as a result of his reverence.

⁸ Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered,

⁹ and being perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation to all those who obey him,

¹⁰ being designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Advanced Teaching Hindered by Immaturity

¹¹ Concerning this¹ ⌞we have much to say and it is difficult to explain⌟², since you have become sluggish in hearing.

1. Literally “which”
2. Literally “great for us the message and hard to explain to say”

¹² For indeed, although you¹ ought to be teachers ⌞by this time⌟², you have need of someone to teach you again the beginning elements of the oracles of God, and ⌞you have need of⌟³ milk, not⁴ solid food.

1. *Here “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“ought”) which is understood as concessive
2. Literally “because of the time”
3. Literally “you are having need of”
4. Some manuscripts have “and not”

¹³ For everyone who partakes of milk is unacquainted with the message of righteousness, because he is an infant.

¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have trained their faculties for the distinguishing of both good and evil.