1Every high priest is chosen from among the people. He is appointed to act for the people. He acts for them in whatever has to do with God. He offers gifts and sacrifices for their sins. 2Some people have gone astray without knowing it. He is able to deal gently with them. He can do that because he himself is weak. 3That’s why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins. He must also do it for the sins of the people. 4And no one can take this honor for himself. Instead, he receives it when he is appointed by God. That is just how it was for Aaron.
5It was the same for Christ. He did not take for himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
“You are my Son.
Today I have become your Father.” (Psalm 2:7)
6In another place God said,
“You are a priest forever,
just like Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4)
7Jesus prayed while he lived on earth. He made his appeal with sincere cries and tears. He prayed to the God who could save him from death. God answered Jesus because he truly honored God. 8Jesus was God’s Son. But by suffering he learned what it means to obey. 9In this way he was made perfect. Eternal salvation comes from him. He saves all those who obey him. 10God appointed him to be the high priest, just like Melchizedek.
A Warning Against Falling Away
11We have a lot to say about this. But it is hard to make it clear to you. That’s because you are no longer trying to understand. 12By this time you should be teachers. But in fact, you need someone to teach you all over again. You need even the simple truths of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food. 13Anyone who lives on milk is still a baby. That person does not want to learn about living a godly life. 14Solid food is for those who are grown up. They have trained themselves to tell the difference between good and evil. That shows they have grown up.
1从人间选出来的大祭司，都是受委任代表人办理与上帝有关的事，为人的罪向上帝献上礼物和赎罪祭。 2他能体谅那些无知和迷失的人，因为他自己也有人性的软弱。 3所以，他不但要为众人的罪献祭，也要为自己的罪献祭。 4没有人能自取这大祭司的尊荣，只有像亚伦一样蒙上帝呼召的人才可以做大祭司。
5同样，基督也没有自取荣耀做大祭司，是上帝对祂说：
“你是我的儿子，
我今日成为你父亲。”
6在圣经的另一处，上帝又说：
“你照麦基洗德的模式永远做祭司。”
7基督在世为人的时候，曾经声泪俱下地祈求能救祂脱离死亡的上帝。祂因为敬虔而蒙了应允。 8基督虽然是上帝的儿子，仍然从所受的苦难中学习了顺服。 9祂既然达到了纯全的地步，就成了永恒救恩的源头，使所有顺服祂的人都得到拯救。 10上帝照着麦基洗德的模式立祂做大祭司。
信徒要长进
11关于这方面的事，我们还有很多话要说，但因为你们已经听不进去，很难向你们解释。 12按你们学习的时间来算，你们本该做别人的老师了，可惜你们还需要别人向你们传授上帝话语的基本道理，成了不能吃干粮、只能吃奶的人。 13因为只能吃奶的人还是婴孩，不熟习仁义的道理。 14干粮是给成年人吃的，他们的心思历经锻炼，能够分辨善恶。
