Hebrews 5

1 Every [Jewish] Supreme Priest was chosen by [God] {[God] chose every [Jewish] Supreme Priest} from among [ordinary] men. They were appointed {[He] appointed them} in order that they would come before him on behalf of the people. [Specifically, God appointed them] in order that they would bring gifts [to him on behalf of the people], and in order to sacrifice [animals to him] for people who sinned.

For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

2 The Supreme Priests could deal gently with those who ignorantly sinned, since the Supreme Priests themselves tended to sin easily.

The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness.

3 As a result, they had to offer something to God for their own sins, just like [they had to offer something to God] for [other] people who sinned.

Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself.

4 Furthermore, [it is an honor to be a Supreme Priest] so no one honors himself [by appointing himself to become a Supreme Priest]. Instead, God chose each man [to become a Supreme Priest], as he chose Aaron [to be the first Supreme Priest].

Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was.

5 Similarly, Christ also did not honor himself by appointing himself to become a Supreme Priest. Instead, God [appointed him by] saying to [him what he never said to any other priest, what the] Psalmist wrote in the Scriptures, You [(sg)] are my Son! Today I have declared that I am your Father!

So also Christ did not glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father.”

6 And he also said [to Christ what the Psalmist wrote] in another Scripture passage, You are a priest eternally just like Melchizedek was a priest. (aiōn g165)

As he says also in another place, "You are a priest for the age (aiōn g165), after the order of Melchizedek."

7 When Christ lived on the earth [MTY], he prayed [DOU] to God and tearfully cried out loudly to him. [Specifically], he asked [God], who was able to help him, that he would not [fear the sufferings just before] he died. As a result, God listened to him, because Christ reverently submitted [to what God wanted him to do].

He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,

8 Although Christ is [God’s own Son], he learned to obey [God] by suffering [before he died].

though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered.

9 By becoming (all [that] God intended him to be/perfect), [he has now] become fully qualified [to be our Supreme Priest. As a result, he is the one who saves] eternally all who obey him. (aiōnios g166)

Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of consummate (aiōnios g166) salvation,

10 Furthermore, God has designated him to be [our] Supreme Priest in the way that Melchizedek was a Supreme Priest.

named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

11 Although there is much to say [to you(pl)] about [how Christ resembles Melchizedek], this is hard [for me] to explain [to you] because you now understand things so slowly.

About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing.

12 [You became Christians long ago. So] by now you should be teaching [spiritual truths to others]. But you still need someone to teach you again the truths that God has revealed. [I am talking about] the truths that we teach people [when they] first [believe in Christ]. You need [those elementary truths] like babies need milk [MET]. You are not [ready for advanced teaching, which is like] the solid food [which mature people need] [MET].

For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the revelations of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food.

13 Remember that those [who are still learning these elementary truths] [MET] have not become familiar with [what God] says concerning becoming/being righteous. They are [just like] [MET] babies [who need] milk!

For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby.

14 But [the more advanced spiritual truth] is for people who are [spiritually] mature, just like [MET] solid food is for [people who are physically] mature. They can tell the difference between what is good and what is evil, because they have trained themselves [to keep doing that].

But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.