1For every high priest, being taken from among people, is appointed for people in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness. 3Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself. 4Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was.

5So also Christ did not glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father."

6As he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek."

7In the days of his flesh, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8Although he was a Son, he learned obedience by the things which he suffered. 9Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of everlasting salvation, 10named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

11About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing. 12For when by reason of the time you ought to be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God. You have come to need milk, not solid food. 13For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. 14But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.