FOR, every high-priest taken from among men, is constituted on behalf
of men for those services which relate to God, that he should offer
both gifts and sacrifices for sins: (2)being able to feel tenderly for
the ignorant and erroneous; forasmuch as he is himself encompassed with
infirmity. (3)And on this account he ought, as for the people, so also
for himself, to offer sacrifice for sins. (4)And no man assumes to
himself this honour, but he who is called of God, even as Aaron was.
(5)So Christ also did not himself assume the glory to become
high-priest, but he _gave it_ who spake to him, "Thou art my Son; I
have this day begotten thee." (6)As he saith also in another passage,
"Thou art priest forever after the order of Melchisedec[133];" (7)who
in the days of his flesh, with strong crying and tears, having offered
up prayers and supplications to him who was able to save him from
death, and being heard for his reverential awe, (8)though he was a son,
he learned obedience from the things which he suffered: (9)and complete
himself, he became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him;
(10)publicly proclaimed of God high-priest after the order of
Melchisedec.
(11)Concerning whom we have much to discourse, and of difficult
interpretation to explain, seeing ye are dull of hearing. (12)For
though ye ought for the time to be teachers of others, ye have again
need that some one teach you the leading principles of the oracles of
God; and are become as those who need milk, and not solid food. (13)For
every one who useth milk is inexperienced in the word of righteousness:
for he is an infant. (14)But solid nourishment is proper for grown men,
even as many as by habit have their organs of perception exercised for
the discernment both of good and evil.