Hebrews 5

1 For euery hie Priest is taken from among men, and is ordeined for men, in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both giftes and sacrifices for sinnes,

Every high priest, taken from among the people, is appointed as their representative in their relations with God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices in expiation of sins.

2 Which is able sufficiently to haue compassion on them that are ignorant, and that are out of the way, because that hee also is compassed with infirmitie,

And he is able to sympathise with the ignorant and deluded, since he is himself subject to weakness,

3 And for the sames sake he is bound to offer for sinnes, as well for his own part, as for ye peoples.

and is therefore bound to offer sacrifices for sins, not only for the people, but equally so for himself.

4 And no man taketh this honor vnto him selfe, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

Nor does anyone take that high office on themselves, until they have been called to do so by God, as Aaron was.

5 So likewise Christ tooke not to him selfe this honour, to be made the hie Priest, but hee that sayd vnto him, Thou art my Sonne, this day begate I thee, gaue it him.

In the same way, even the Christ did not take the honour of the high priesthood on himself, but he was appointed by him who said to him – “You are my Son; this day I have become your Father”;

6 As he also in another place speaketh, Thou art a Priest for euer, after ye order of Melchi-sedec. (aiōn g165)

and on another occasion also – “You are a priest for all time of the order of Melchizedek.” (aiōn g165)

7 Who in the dayes of his flesh did offer vp prayers and supplications, with strong crying and teares vnto him, that was able to saue him from death, and was also heard in that which he feared.

Jesus, in the days of his earthly life, offered prayers and supplications, with earnest cries and with tears, to him who was able to save him from death; and he was heard because of his devout submission.

8 And though he were ye Sonne, yet learned he obedience, by the things which he suffered.

Son though he was, he learned obedience from his sufferings;

9 And being consecrate, was made the authour of eternall saluation vnto all them that obey him: (aiōnios g166)

and, being made perfect, he became to all those who obey him the source of eternal salvation, (aiōnios g166)

10 And is called of God an hie Priest after the order of Melchi-sedec.

while God himself pronounced him a high priest of the order of Melchizedek.

11 Of whome we haue many things to say, which are hard to be vttered, because ye are dull of hearing.

Now on this subject I have much to say, but it is difficult to explain it to you, because you have shown yourselves so slow to learn.

12 For when as concerning ye time ye ought to be teachers, yet haue ye neede againe that we teach you what are the first principles of the worde of God: and are become such as haue neede of milke, and not of strong meate.

For whereas, considering the time that has elapsed, you ought to be teaching others, you still need someone to teach you the alphabet of the divine revelation, and need again to be fed with milk instead of with “solid food.”

13 For euery one that vseth milke, is inexpert in the worde of righteousnes: for he is a babe.

For everyone who still has to take milk knows nothing of the teaching of righteousness; they are a mere infant.

14 But strong meate belongeth to them that are of age, which through long custome haue their wits exercised, to discerne both good and euill.

But solid food is for Christians of mature faith – those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish right from wrong.