1Every high priest is chosen from among the people. He is appointed to act for the people. He acts for them in whatever has to do with God. He offers gifts and sacrifices for their sins.2Some people have gone astray without knowing it. He is able to deal gently with them. He can do that because he himself is weak.3That’s why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins. He must also do it for the sins of the people.4And no one can take this honour for himself. Instead, he receives it when he is appointed by God. That is just how it was for Aaron.5It was the same for Christ. He did not take for himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.’ (Ps 2:7)6In another place God said, ‘You are a priest for ever, just like Melchizedek.’ (Ps 110:4)7Jesus prayed while he lived on earth. He made his appeal with sincere cries and tears. He prayed to the God who could save him from death. God answered Jesus because he truly honoured God.8Jesus was God’s Son. But by suffering he learned what it means to obey.9In this way he was made perfect. Eternal salvation comes from him. He saves all those who obey him.10God appointed him to be the high priest, just like Melchizedek.
A warning against falling away
11We have a lot to say about this. But it is hard to make it clear to you. That’s because you are no longer trying to understand.12By this time you should be teachers. But in fact, you need someone to teach you all over again. You need even the simple truths of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food.13Anyone who lives on milk is still a baby. That person does not want to learn about living a godly life.14Solid food is for those who are grown up. They have trained themselves to tell the difference between good and evil. That shows they have grown up.
Hebrews 5
English Standard Version
1For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. (Heb 2:17; Heb 8:3; Heb 9:9; Heb 10:11; Heb 11:4)2He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. (Heb 2:18; Heb 4:15; Heb 7:28)3Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. (Le 4:3; Le 9:7; Le 16:6; Heb 7:27; Heb 9:7)4And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. (Ex 28:1; Nu 16:5; Nu 16:40; Nu 18:7; 1Ch 23:13; 2Ch 26:18)5So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; (Joh 8:54; Heb 1:5)6as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” (Ps 110:4; Heb 7:17; Heb 7:21)7In the days of his flesh, Jesus[1] offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. (Ps 22:1; Ps 22:24; Mt 26:39; Mt 26:44; Mt 27:46; Mt 27:50; Mr 14:36; Mr 14:39; Mr 15:34; Mr 15:37; Lu 22:41; Lu 22:44; Lu 23:46)8Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. (Php 2:8; Heb 1:2)9And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, (Heb 2:10)10being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. (Heb 5:6; Heb 6:20)
Warning Against Apostasy
11About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. (2Pe 3:16)12For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, (1Co 3:2; Heb 6:1)13for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. (1Co 3:1; 1Pe 2:2)14But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (Ge 3:22; 1Ki 3:9; Isa 7:15; Eph 4:13)