Hebrews 5

1Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed
to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and
sacrifices for sins. 2He is able to deal gently with those who
are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject
to weakness. 3This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own
sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

4No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by
God, just as Aaron was. 5So Christ also did not take upon
himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to
him,
"You are my Son;
today I have become your Father." 6And he says in
another place,
"You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek."

7During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up
prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who
could save him from death, and he was heard because of his
reverent submission. 8Although he was a son, he learned
obedience from what he suffered 9and, once made perfect, he
became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
10and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of
Melchizedek.

Warning Against Falling Away

 
11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain
because you are slow to learn. 12In fact, though by this time
you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the
elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk,
not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an
infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have
trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.