Hebrews

The epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews, chapter 5, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 5 New English Translation

1 For every high priest is taken from among the people and appointed to represent them before God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal compassionately with those who are ignorant and erring, since he also is subject to weakness, 3 and for this reason he is obligated to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. 4 And no one assumes this honor on his own initiative, but only when called to it by God, as in fact Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming high priest, but the one who glorified him was God, who said to him, "You are my Son! Today I have fathered you, " 6 as also in another place God says, "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek." 7 During his earthly life Christ offered both requests and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death and he was heard because of his devotion. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through the things he suffered. 9 And by being perfected in this way, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 and he was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

The Need to Move on to Maturity

11 On this topic we have much to say and it is difficult to explain, since you have become sluggish in hearing. 12 For though you should in fact be teachers by this time, you need someone to teach you the beginning elements of God's utterances. You have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. 13 For everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced in the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil.

King James Version

   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.