Study Desk

For every high priest selected from among men is appointed to officiate on their behalfon behalf of men">[fn] in matters relating to God, that is, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.Hebrews 2:17; 8:3-4; 9:9; 10:11; 11:4;">[xr]

For that reason he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as for those of the people.Leviticus 4:3; 9:7; Hebrews 7:27; 9:7;">[xr]

and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,Hebrews 2:10; 11:40;">[xr]

For everyone who lives on milk is still a baby and is inexperienced in the message of righteousness.1 Corinthians 13:11; 14:20; Ephesians 4:14; 1 Peter 2:2;">[xr]

But solid food is for mature people, whose minds are trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.Isaiah 7:15; 1 Corinthians 2:14-15;">[xr]

For it is impossible to keep on restoring to repentance time and again people who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have become sharers of the Holy Spirit,Matthew 12:31-32; John 4:10; 6:32; Galatians 3:2,5; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 2:4; 2 Peter 2:20-21; 1 John 5:16;">[xr]

For when the ground soaks up rain that often falls on it and continues producing vegetation useful to those for whom it is cultivated, it receives a blessing from God.Psalm 65:10;">[xr]

For God is not so unjust as to forget your work and the love you have shown himshown for his name">[fn] as you have ministered to the saints and continue to minister to them.Proverbs 14:31; Matthew 10:42; 25:40; John 13:20; Romans 3:4; 15:25; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7; 2 Timothy 1:18;">[xr]

For when God made his promise to Abraham, he swore an oath by himself, since he had no one greater to swear by.Genesis 22:16-17; Psalm 105:9; Luke 1:73;">[xr]

And so he obtained the promise, because he patiently waited for it.

For people swear by someone greater than themselves, and an oath given as confirmation puts an end to all argument.Exodus 22:11;">[xr]

so that by these two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to prove false, we who have taken refuge in him might have a strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.Hebrews 12:1;">[xr]

We have this hopehope">[fn] as an anchor for our souls, firm and secure, which reaches behind the curtain,Leviticus 16:15; Hebrews 9:7;">[xr]

for he was still in the body of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood - for on this basis the people received the law - what further need would there be to speak of appointing another kind of priest according to the order of Melchizedek, not one according to the order of Aaron?Galatians 2:21; Hebrews 7:18-19; 8:7;">[xr]

For when a change in the priesthood takes place, there must also be a change in the law.

For the person we are talking about belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever servedfrom which no one has served">[fn] at the altar.

For it is obvious that our Lord was a descendant of Judah, and Moses said nothing about priests coming from that tribe.Isaiah 11:1; Matthew 1:3; Luke 3:33; Romans 1:3; Revelation 5:5;">[xr]

For it is declared about him,Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6,10; 6:20;">[xr] "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."Psalm 110:4">[fn]

(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we approach God.Acts 13:39; Romans 3:20-21,28; 5:2; 8:3; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:18; 3:12; Hebrews 4:16; 6:18; 8:6; 9:9; 10:19;">[xr]