1Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.2He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.3This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.4And no-one takes this honour on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.5In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father.’ (Ps 2:7)6And he says in another place, ‘You are a priest for ever, in the order of Melchizedek.’ (Ps 110:4)7During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.8Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered9and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him10and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Warning against falling away
11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 5
English Standard Version
1For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. (Heb 2:17; Heb 8:3; Heb 9:9; Heb 10:11; Heb 11:4)2He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. (Heb 2:18; Heb 4:15; Heb 7:28)3Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. (Le 4:3; Le 9:7; Le 16:6; Heb 7:27; Heb 9:7)4And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. (Ex 28:1; Nu 16:5; Nu 16:40; Nu 18:7; 1Ch 23:13; 2Ch 26:18)5So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; (Joh 8:54; Heb 1:5)6as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” (Ps 110:4; Heb 7:17; Heb 7:21)7In the days of his flesh, Jesus[1] offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. (Ps 22:1; Ps 22:24; Mt 26:39; Mt 26:44; Mt 27:46; Mt 27:50; Mr 14:36; Mr 14:39; Mr 15:34; Mr 15:37; Lu 22:41; Lu 22:44; Lu 23:46)8Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. (Php 2:8; Heb 1:2)9And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, (Heb 2:10)10being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. (Heb 5:6; Heb 6:20)
Warning Against Apostasy
11About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. (2Pe 3:16)12For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, (1Co 3:2; Heb 6:1)13for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. (1Co 3:1; 1Pe 2:2)14But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (Ge 3:22; 1Ki 3:9; Isa 7:15; Eph 4:13)