Hebrews 5

1 Every [Jewish] Supreme Priest was chosen by [God] {[God] chose every [Jewish] Supreme Priest} from among [ordinary] men. They were appointed {[He] appointed them} in order that they would come before him on behalf of the people. [Specifically, God appointed them] in order that they would bring gifts [to him on behalf of the people], and in order to sacrifice [animals to him] for people who sinned.

For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

2 The Supreme Priests could deal gently with those who ignorantly sinned, since the Supreme Priests themselves tended to sin easily.

who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity;

3 As a result, they had to offer something to God for their own sins, just like [they had to offer something to God] for [other] people who sinned.

and by reason thereof is bound, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

4 Furthermore, [it is an honor to be a Supreme Priest] so no one honors himself [by appointing himself to become a Supreme Priest]. Instead, God chose each man [to become a Supreme Priest], as he chose Aaron [to be the first Supreme Priest].

And no man taketh the honor unto himself, but when he is called of God, even as was Aaron.

5 Similarly, Christ also did not honor himself by appointing himself to become a Supreme Priest. Instead, God [appointed him by] saying to [him what he never said to any other priest, what the] Psalmist wrote in the Scriptures, You [(sg)] are my Son! Today I have declared that I am your Father!

So Christ also glorified not himself to be made a high priest, but he that spake unto him, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee:

6 And he also said [to Christ what the Psalmist wrote] in another Scripture passage, You are a priest eternally just like Melchizedek was a priest. (aiōn g165)

as he saith also in another [place], Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek. (aiōn g165)

7 When Christ lived on the earth [MTY], he prayed [DOU] to God and tearfully cried out loudly to him. [Specifically], he asked [God], who was able to help him, that he would not [fear the sufferings just before] he died. As a result, God listened to him, because Christ reverently submitted [to what God wanted him to do].

Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,

8 Although Christ is [God’s own Son], he learned to obey [God] by suffering [before he died].

though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered;

9 By becoming (all [that] God intended him to be/perfect), [he has now] become fully qualified [to be our Supreme Priest. As a result, he is the one who saves] eternally all who obey him. (aiōnios g166)

and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation; (aiōnios g166)

10 Furthermore, God has designated him to be [our] Supreme Priest in the way that Melchizedek was a Supreme Priest.

named of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

11 Although there is much to say [to you(pl)] about [how Christ resembles Melchizedek], this is hard [for me] to explain [to you] because you now understand things so slowly.

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing.

12 [You became Christians long ago. So] by now you should be teaching [spiritual truths to others]. But you still need someone to teach you again the truths that God has revealed. [I am talking about] the truths that we teach people [when they] first [believe in Christ]. You need [those elementary truths] like babies need milk [MET]. You are not [ready for advanced teaching, which is like] the solid food [which mature people need] [MET].

For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food.

13 Remember that those [who are still learning these elementary truths] [MET] have not become familiar with [what God] says concerning becoming/being righteous. They are [just like] [MET] babies [who need] milk!

For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe.

14 But [the more advanced spiritual truth] is for people who are [spiritually] mature, just like [MET] solid food is for [people who are physically] mature. They can tell the difference between what is good and what is evil, because they have trained themselves [to keep doing that].

But solid food is for fullgrown men, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.