1For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; 2Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3And by reason this he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

5So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made an high priest; but He that said unto Him, Thou art My Son, to day have I begotten Thee. 6As He saith also in another place, Thou art a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedec; 7Who, [Christ, not Melchizedec], in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared, 8Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; 9And being made perfect, He became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him, 10Called of God an high Priest after the order of Melchizedec.

11Of Whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12For by this time {when for the time} ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. 13For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. 14But solid food {strong meat} belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.