1 For every high priest, taken from men, is appointed for men as to things pertaining to God, that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sins; 2 Who can render himself gentle to the ignorant and the erring, since he himself is also surrounded with infirmity: 3 And on this account he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no one takes to himself this honor, but he, who is called by God, as Aaron also was. 5 So also Christ glorified not himself that he became a high priest, but he who said to him, "My Son art thou, I have this day begotten thee;" 6 As also he says in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec:" 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and was heard in what he feared; 8 Though he was a Son, yet learned obedience from those things which he suffered; 9 And being sanctified, he became to all who obey him the author of eternal salvation; 10 Having been called by God a priest according to the order of Melchisedec: 11 If whom we have much to say to you, and difficult to be explained, since ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when ye ought for the time to be teachers, ye have again need that one should teach you the elements of the beginning of God's words, and are become such as have need of milk, And not of strong meat: 13 For every one who partakes of milk is inexperienced in the word of righteousness, for he is an infant; 14 But strong meat is for the perfect, who through practice have their senses exercised so as to distinguish between good and evil. |