Hebrews 5

1 For every high priest, chosen from among people, is appointed to act on the behalf of people in the things concerning God, so that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

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 He can deal gently with those who are ignorant and who have been deceived, because he himself is subject to weakness.

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

3 Because of this, he also is required to offer sacrifices for his own sins, just as he does for the people's sins.

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

4 It is not for himself that anyone takes this honor. Instead, he is called by God, just as Aaron was.

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

5 In the same way, neither did Christ honor himself by making himself high priest. Instead, the one speaking to him said, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”

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 It is just as he also says in another place, “You are a priest forever after the manner of Melchizedek.” (aiōn g165)

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

7 During the days of his flesh, Christ offered up both prayers and requests with loud cries and tears to God, the one able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his godly life.

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 Even though he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.

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

9 He was made perfect and became, for everyone who obeys him, the cause of eternal salvation. (aiōnios g166)

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

10 He was designated by God as high priest after the manner of Melchizedek.

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

11 We have much to say about Jesus, but it is hard to explain since you have become dull in 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 though by this time you should be teachers, you still have need for someone to teach you the basic principles of God's messages. You need milk, not solid food!

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 anyone who only takes milk is inexperienced with the message of righteousness, because he is still a little child.

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

14 But solid food is for adults. These are those who because of their maturity have their understanding trained for distinguishing good from evil.

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