Hebrews

Hebrews shows that the Son is greater than angels, Moses, and the Levitical priesthood. By his once-for-all sacrifice he opened the way into the holy place. Therefore do not shrink back.

Author: Unknown
Date: c. AD 60–70
Theme: Jesus is better: hold fast to the great high priest.
Key verses: Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 11:1; Hebrews 12:1-2
Catholic Public Domain Version

Hebrews 5

1For every high priest, having been taken from among men, is appointed on behalf of men toward the things which pertain to God, so that he may offer gifts and sacrifices on behalf of sins; 2he is able to commiserate with those who are ignorant and who wander astray, because he himself is also encompassed by infirmity. 3And because of this, he also must make such offerings for sins even for himself, in the same manner as for the people. 4Neither does anyone take up this honor himself, but rather he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. 5Thus, even Christ did not glorify himself, so as to become High Priest, but instead, it was God who said to him: “You are my Son. Today I have begotten you.” 6And similarly, he says in another place: “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” 7It is Christ who, in the days of his flesh, with a strong cry and tears, offered prayers and supplications to the One who was able to save him from death, and who was heard because of his reverence. 8And although, certainly, he is the Son of God, he learned obedience by the things that he suffered. 9And having reached his consummation, he was made, for all who are obedient to him, the cause of eternal salvation, 10having been called by God to be the High Priest, according to the order of Melchizedek. 11Our message about him is great, and difficult to explain when speaking, because you have been made feeble when listening. 12For even though it is the time when you ought to be teachers, you are still lacking, so that you must be taught the things that are the basic elements of the Word of God, and so you have been made like those who are in need of milk, and not of solid food. 13For anyone who is still feeding on milk is still unskillful in the Word of Justice; for he is like an infant. 14But solid food is for those who are mature, for those who, by practice, have sharpened their mind, so as to discern good from evil.

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