The Perfect High Priest

¹ For 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. ² The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also subject to human weakness. ³ Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself.

⁴ Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he must be called by God, just like Aaron was. ⁵ So also Christ did not glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was God who said to Him,

“You are my Son.
Today I have become your father.” ^a

⁶ As he says also in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.” ^b

⁷ In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and petitions with fervent crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his godly fear. ⁸ Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through suffering. ⁹ Having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all of those who obey him, ¹⁰ named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Warning Against Drifting Away

¹¹ About this we have much to say, but it is hard to explain, because you have become too weak to hear. ¹² For although by this time you should be teachers, you still need to have someone teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation. You still need milk, and not solid food.

¹³ For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. ¹⁴ But solid food is for those who are full grown, who use of it, and exercise their senses to discern good and evil.

^{a Psalm 2:7
b Psalm 110:4}

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