1 P orque todo sumo sacerdote es escogido de entre los hombres y constituido a favor de los hombres ante Dios, para que presente 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 é l puede mostrarse paciente con los ignorantes y extraviados, puesto que él también está rodeado de debilidad,

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 causa de la cual debe ofrecer por los pecados, tanto por sí mismo como también por el pueblo.

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

4 Y nadie toma para sí esta honra, sino el que es llamado por Dios, como lo fue 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 P or eso, tampoco Cristo se glorificó a sí mismo haciéndose Sumo sacerdote, sino que fue Dios quien 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 C omo también dice en otro lugar: «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 Y Cristo, en los días de su vida terrena, ofreció ruegos y súplicas con gran clamor y lágrimas al que lo podía librar de la muerte, y fue oído a causa de 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 Y , aunque era Hijo, a través del sufrimiento aprendió lo que es la obediencia;

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

9 y habiendo sido perfeccionado, vino a ser autor de eterna salvación para todos los que lo 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, pero es difícil de explicar, por cuanto os habéis hecho tardos para oír.

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 D ebiendo ser ya maestros después de tanto tiempo, tenéis necesidad de que se os vuelva a enseñar cuáles son los primeros rudimentos de las palabras de Dios; y habéis llegado a ser tales, que tenéis necesidad de leche y no de 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 Y todo aquel que participa de la leche es inexperto en la palabra de justicia, porque es niño.

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 han alcanzado madurez, para los que por el uso tienen los sentidos ejercitados en el discernimiento del bien y del mal.

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.