1 For every high priest taken from amongst men is established for men in things relating to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; 2 being able to exercise forbearance towards the ignorant and erring, since he himself also is clothed with infirmity; 3 and, on account of this infirmity, he ought, even as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no one takes the honour to himself but as called by God, even as Aaron also. 5 Thus the Christ also has not glorified himself to be made a high priest; but he who had said to him, Thou art my Son, I have to-day begotten thee. 6 Even as also in another place he says, Thouart a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up both supplications and entreaties to him who was able to save him out of death, with strong crying and tears; (and having been heard because of his piety;) 8 though he were Son, he learned obedience from the things which he suffered; 9 and having been perfected, became to all them that obey him, author of eternal salvation;

10 addressed by God as high priest according to the order of Melchisedec. 11 Concerning whom we have much to say, and hard to be interpreted in speaking of it, since ye are become dull in hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have again need that one should teach you what are the elements of the beginning of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. 13 For every one that partakes of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe; 14 but solid food belongs to full-grown men, who, on account of habit, have their senses exercised for distinguishing both good and evil.

1 Iga ülempreester, kes valitakse inimeste hulgast, seatakse esindama inimesi Jumala ees, et tuua ohvreid ja ande pattude lepituseks. 2 Ta suudab kaasa tunda mõistmatutele ja eksijatele, sest ka tema ise on nõrk. 3 Ja sellepärast peab tema nii nagu rahva eest, ka iseenese eest ohvrit tooma pattude pärast. 4 Ja keegi ei saa seda au võtta enesele ise, vaid saab selle Jumala kutsel, nagu Aaron sai.

5 Nii ei ole ka Kristus ülendanud ennast ise ülempreestri ametisse, vaid Jumal ütles talle:

„Sina oled minu Poeg,

täna ma sünnitasin sinu."

6 Nagu ta ka ühes teises kohas ütleb:

„Sina oled igavesti preester

Melkisedeki korra järgi."

7 Oma maise elu päevil tõi Jeesus oma palved ja anumised valju nutu ja pisaratega tema ette, kes teda võis surmast päästa, ja teda võeti kuulda tema allaheitlikkuse tõttu. 8 Ja olles küll Poeg, õppis ta kuulekust selle läbi, mida ta kannatas. 9 Ning kui ta oli tehtud täiuslikuks, sai ta igavese pääste allikaks kõigile, kes on talle kuulekad, 10 ning Jumal nimetas ta ülempreestriks Melkisedeki korra järgi.

11 Sel teemal võiks veel paljugi rääkida, aga seda on teile raske selgeks teha, sest te olete muutunud tuimaks kuulma. 12 Sest teie, kes te selle aja peale peaksite ise olema õpetajad, vajate, et teile uuesti õpetataks Jumala ilmutuse esimesi tõdesid. Te olete jälle saanud nendeks, kes vajavad piima, mitte tahket toitu. 13 Sest igaüks, kes toitub piimast, ei saa õieti aru õpetusest õiguse kohta, sest ta on väike laps. 14 Tahke toit aga on täiskasvanuile, neile, kelle eristusvõime on vilunud vahet tegema hea ja kurja vahel.