1 The Perfect High Priest For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed [to act] on behalf of men in things relating to God, so that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 He is able to deal gently with thespirituallyignorant and misguided, since he is also subject tohumanweakness;
3 and because of this [human weakness] he is required to offersacrificesfor sins, for himself as well as for the people.
4 And besides, one does not appropriate for himself the honor [of being high priest], but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 So too Christ did not glorify Himself so as to be made a high priest, but He [was exalted and appointed by the One] who said to Him,“YMS,TI(fathered) Y[declared Your authority and rule over the nations]”;
6 just as He also says in another place,“Y[appointed]ASee note 7:3.M.”
7 In the days of His earthly life, Jesus offered up both [specific] petitions and [urgent] supplications [for that which He needed] with fervent crying and tears to the One who was [always] able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission toward God [His sinlessness and His unfailing determination to do the Father’s will].
8 Although He was a Son [who had never been disobedient to the Father], He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered.
9 And having been made perfect [uniquely equipped and prepared as Savior and retaining His integrity amid opposition], He became the source of eternal salvation [an eternal inheritance] to all those who obey Him,
10 being designated by God as High Priest according to the order ofSee note 7:3.Melchizedek.
11 Concerning this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dullandsluggish in [your spiritual] hearinganddisinclined to listen.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers [because of the time you have had to learn these truths], you actually need someone to teach you again the elementary principles of God’s word [from the beginning], and you have come to becontinuallyin need of milk, not solid food.
13 For everyone who lives on milk is [doctrinally inexperienced and] unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is aspiritualinfant.
14 But solid food is for the [spiritually] mature, whose senses are trained by practice to distinguish between what is morally good andwhat isevil.