The Messiah, a High Priest

5 For every high priest taken from men is appointed in service d to God for the people, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also subject to weakness. e 3 Because of this, he must make a sin offering for himself as well as for the people. f 4 No one takes this honor on himself; instead, a person is called by God, just as Aaron was. g 5 In the same way, the * Messiah did not exalt Himself to become a high priest, but the One who said to Him, You are My Son; today I have become Your Father, h i 6 also said in another passage, You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. j k

7 During His earthly life, l He offered prayers and appeals m with loud cries and tears n to the One who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. 8 Though He was God’s Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. o 9 After He was perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him, 10 and He was declared by God a high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

The Problem of Immaturity

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