1 T odo sumo sacerdote es elegido entre los hombres, y constituido a favor de los hombres ante la presencia de Dios, para presentar ofrendas y sacrificios por los pecados

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in things relating to God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

2 y para mostrarse paciente con los ignorantes y extraviados, ya que él mismo adolece de la debilidad humana.

He is able to exercise gentleness and forbearance toward the ignorant and erring, since he himself also is liable to moral weakness and physical infirmity.

3 P or eso mismo debe presentar una ofrenda por sus propios pecados, así como por los del pueblo.

And because of this he is obliged to offer sacrifice for his own sins, as well as for those of the people.

4 P ero nadie puede tomar este honor por cuenta propia, sino sólo el que es llamado por Dios, como en el caso de Aarón.

Besides, one does not appropriate for himself the honor, but he is called by God and receives it of Him, just as Aaron did.

5 T ampoco Cristo se glorificó a sí mismo haciéndose sumo sacerdote, sino que ese honor se lo dio el que le dijo: «Tú eres mi Hijo, Yo te he engendrado hoy»,

So too Christ (the Messiah) did not exalt Himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed and exalted by Him Who said to Him, You are My Son; today I have begotten You;

6 y que en otro lugar también dice: «Tú eres sacerdote para siempre, según el orden de Melquisedec».

As He says also in another place, You are a Priest forever after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek.

7 C uando Cristo vivía en este mundo, con gran clamor y lágrimas ofreció ruegos y súplicas al que lo podía librar de la muerte, y fue escuchado por su temor reverente.

In the days of His flesh offered up definite, special petitions '> but needed] and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him Who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence toward God '> in that He shrank from the horrors of separation from the bright presence of the Father].

8 A unque era Hijo, aprendió a obedecer mediante el sufrimiento;

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered

9 y una vez que alcanzó la perfección, llegó a ser el autor de la salvación eterna para todos los que le obedecen,

And, making Him perfectly, He became the Author and Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him,

10 y Dios lo declaró sumo sacerdote, según el orden de Melquisedec. Advertencia contra la apostasía

Being designated and recognized and saluted by God as High Priest after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek.

11 A cerca de esto tenemos mucho que decir, aunque no es fácil explicarlo porque ustedes son lentos para entender.

Concerning this we have much to say which is hard to explain, since you have become dull in your hearing and sluggish '> slothful in achieving spiritual insight].

12 A unque después de tanto tiempo ya debieran ser maestros, todavía es necesario que se les vuelva a enseñar lo más elemental de las palabras de Dios. Esto es tan así que lo que necesitan es leche, y no alimento sólido.

For even though by this time you ought to be teaching others, you actually need someone to teach you over again the very first principles of God’s Word. You have come to need milk, not solid food.

13 P ero todos los que se alimentan de leche son inexpertos en la palabra de justicia, porque son como niños.

For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant!

14 E l alimento sólido es para los que ya han alcanzado la madurez, para los que pueden discernir entre el bien y el mal, y han ejercitado su capacidad de tomar decisiones.

But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law.