JMNT(i)
1 Now you see, every chief priest being taken forth from men, on behalf of men, is being placed down (set and established) in the things directed toward (or: with a view to, pertaining to and facing) God, so that he may be bringing both gifts and sacrifices over [situations of] and in behalf of failures (mistakes; sins; errors; times of missing the target),
2 constantly being able to measure feelings (to deal gently; or: being moderate) to habitually ignorant folks (or: with people not normally having intimate, experiential knowledge [gnosis]) and to people being constantly deceived, repeatedly led astray or habitually caused to wander, since he himself habitually environs (has around himself) lack of strength (or: weakness),
3 and so, on account of this, he is indebted (obliged; or: he owes it) – according as concerning the people, so also concerning himself – to offer (bear something with a view to and directed) concerning failures (mistakes; sins; errors; times of shooting off-target).
4 And no one takes the honor (value; worth) to himself, but rather [is] one being called (summoned; invited) by God, just as Aaron, also, [was].
5 Thus also, Christ did not glorify Himself (give Himself a reputation; have an opinion of Himself) to be born (or: to come to be) a Chief Priest, but to the contrary, [it was] the One at one point speaking to Him, "You are My Son; today I have given birth to (or: conceived) You (= become Your Father)." [Ps. 2:7]
6 Just as also in a different place He is saying, "You [are] a Priest on into the Age, down from (or: in accord and in line with) Melchizedek's station (order; lineup; alignment; placement; appointment; succession)," [Ps. 110:4]
7 Who, during the days of His flesh (= existence as a human), with a strong (or: robust) outcry and tears, offered both earnest requests (supplications from need) and petitions (or: supplications; literally: olive branches carried by suppliants, which symbolized a request for help and protection) toward the One being continually able and powerful to deliver (rescue; save) Him forth from out of the midst of death. And so He was being heard (or: was being listened to), from this discretion and precaution (or: the disposition of taking hold well with prudent understanding; or: the receiving of goodness and well-being; or: [His] undertaking with care).
8 Even though continuously being a Son, He learned to listen, pay attention and act on it (or: the giving of the ear in hearing from below, and then to obey) from the things which He experienced (or: what happened to Him [both the good and the bad]).
9 And being brought to the goal of [His] destiny (being brought to maturity and completion; being finished and perfected) He became a cause of eonian deliverance (or: rescue, wholeness and good health and restoration to the original state of being which pertains to and has the character of the Age; safety and healing of and for the ages) for all (or: in all) those habitually listening, paying attention and acting in response (or: the giving of the ear in hearing from below, with obedience) to Him,
10 being at one time addressed and greeted in the public market place (or: spoken toward; proclaimed) by God (or: under God), "Chief Priest down from and corresponding to (in accord with; in line with; in the succession of) the station (order; placement; appointment; arranging; alignment) of Melchizedek" – [Ps. 110:4]
11 concerning Whom the Word [has] much to say to us – and [it is] difficult to be explained (or: about whom the message [is] great and [is] hard to be understood [or] for us to say; or: concerning Whom, for us [there is] much to say – and [it is] hard to be understood), since you have become sluggish (dull) for hearing.
12 For also, being indebted (or: obligated) to be teachers, because of the time [gone by], you again have a need of someone to be teaching you folks the elementary things (or: fundamental principles; rudiments and rules) of the beginning of the brief spoken words (or: principle short thoughts and messages) of God, and you have become folks having need of milk, and not solid food.
13 For everyone partaking (sharing in) milk [is] untried (inexperienced) pertaining to [the] Word of the Way pointed out (from the message of fair and equitable dealing or an idea about rightwised relationships; also: = in regard to the idea of, and the reason derived from, covenant membership), for he is a babe (a non-speaking infant, or one who is still childish and unfit to bear weapons).
14 But solid food belongs to perfected ones (complete and mature ones; ones who are fully developed and have reached the goal of their destiny) – those, because of habit, having organs of perception trained as in gymnastic exercise and thus being skilled, because of practice, and disciplined with a view to a discerning (or: when facing the act of separating, making a distinction and then a decision about) both good and evil (both that which is excellent, ideal, of good quality, profitable and beautiful, as well as that which is of bad quality, worthless, ugly or of bad form; or: = between right and wrong),