Every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. Christ did not take this honour on himself but was called by God, a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. The writer says his readers need to grow up in their understanding.
1 For 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 :
2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant , and on them that are out of the way ; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity .
3 And by reason hereof he ought , as for the people , so also for himself , to offer for sins .
4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself , but he that is called of God , as was Aaron .
5 So 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 .
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec .
7 Who 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 ;
8 Though he were a Son , yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered ;
9 And being made perfect , he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him ;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec .
11 Of whom we have many things to say , and hard to be uttered , seeing ye are dull of hearing .
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers , ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God ; and are become such as have need of milk , and not of strong meat .
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness : for he is a babe .
14 But 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 .