Study Desk

Therefore, since we have a great ^(C1)high priest who has ^(C2)passed through the heavens, Jesus ^(C3)the Son of God, let's hold firmly to our ^(C4)confession.

For we do not have ^(C1)a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been ^(C2)tempted in all things just as we are, yet ^(C3)without sin.

Therefore let's ^(C1)approach the throne of grace with ^(C2)confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.

For every high priest ^(C1)taken from among men is appointed on behalf of people in ^(C2)things pertaining to God, in order to ^(C3)offer both gifts and sacrifices ^(C4)for sins;

^(F1)(C1)he can deal gently with the ^(C2)ignorant and ^(C3)misguided, since he himself also is ^(F2)(C4)clothed in weakness;

and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices ^(C1)for sins for himself, ^(C2)as well as for the people.

And ^(C1)no one takes the honor for himself, but receives it when he is called by God, just ^(C2)as Aaron also was.

So too Christ ^(C1)did not glorify Himself in becoming a ^(C2)high priest, but it was He who ^(C3)said to Him, "^(C4)YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE FATHERED YOU";

just as He also says in another passage, "^(C1)YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO ^(C2)THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK."

In the days of ^(F1)His humanity, ^(F2)(C1)He offered up both prayers and pleas with ^(C2)loud crying and tears to the One ^(C3)able to save Him ^(F3)from death, and He ^(F4)was heard because of His ^(C4)devout behavior.

Although He was ^(C1)a Son, He learned ^(C2)obedience from the things which He suffered.

And having been ^(C1)perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him,

being designated by God as ^(C1)High Priest according to ^(C2)the order of Melchizedek.

Concerning ^(F1)him we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become ^(F2)poor listeners.

For though ^(F1)by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you ^(C1)the ^(F2)(C2)elementary principles of the ^(C3)actual words of God, and you have come to need ^(C4)milk and not solid food.

For everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an ^(C1)infant.

But solid food is for ^(C1)the mature, who because of practice have their senses ^(C2)trained to ^(C3)distinguish between good and evil.

Therefore ^(C1)leaving ^(C2)the ^(F1)elementary teaching about the ^(F2)Christ, let us press on to ^(F3)(C3)maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from ^(C4)dead works and of faith toward God,

of ^(C1)instruction about ^(F1)washings and ^(C2)laying on of hands, and about the ^(C3)resurrection of the dead and ^(C3)eternal judgment.

And this we will do, ^(C1)if God permits.

For it is ^(C1)impossible, in the case of those who have once been ^(C1)enlightened and have tasted of ^(C2)the heavenly gift and have been made ^(C3)partakers of the Holy Spirit,

and ^(C1)have tasted the good ^(C2)word of God and the powers of ^(C3)the age to come,

and then have ^(F1)fallen away, to ^(C1)restore them again to repentance, ^(F2)(C2)since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

For ground that drinks the rain which often ^(F1)falls on it and produces vegetation useful to those ^(C1)for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God;

but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and ^(F1)(C1)close to being cursed, and ^(F2)it ends up being burned.

But, ^(C1)beloved, we are convinced of better things regarding you, and things that ^(F1)accompany salvation, even though we are speaking in this way.

For ^(C1)God is not unjust so as to forget ^(C2)your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, by having ^(C3)served and by still serving the ^(F1)saints.

And we desire that each one of you demonstrate the same diligence ^(F1)so as to realize the ^(C1)full assurance of ^(C2)hope until the end,

so that you will not be sluggish, but ^(C1)imitators of those who through ^(C2)faith and endurance ^(C3)inherit the promises.