1 For every high priest chosen from among men ^jis appointed to act on behalf of men ^kin relation to God, ^lto offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 ^mHe can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself ⁿis beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins ^ojust as he does for those of the people. 4 And ^pno one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, ^qjust as Aaron was.

5 So also Christ ^rdid not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,

6 as he says also in another place,

7 In the days of his flesh, ^uJesus¹ offered up prayers and supplications, ^vwith loud cries and tears, to him ^wwho was able to save him from death, and ^xhe was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although ^yhe was a son, ^zhe learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And ^abeing made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest ^bafter the order of Melchizedek.

11 About this we have much to say, and it is ^chard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again ^dthe basic principles of the oracles of God. You need ^emilk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is ^fa child. 14 But solid food is for ^gthe mature, for those who have their powers ^hof discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.