Letters to the Churches

For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in the things that appertain to God, that he may offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins:

Who can have compassion on them that are ignorant and that err: because he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

And therefore he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

Neither doth any man take the honour to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron was.

So Christ also did not glorify himself, that he might be made a high priest: but he that said unto him: Thou art my Son: this day have I begotten thee.

As he saith also in another place: Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech.

Who in the days of his flesh, with a strong cry and tears, offering up prayers and supplications to him that was able to save him from death, was heard for his reverence.

And whereas indeed he was the Son of God, he learned obedience by the things which he suffered.

And being consummated, he became, to all that obey him, the cause of eternal salvation:

Called by God a high priest, according to the order of Melchisedech.

Of whom we have much to say and hard to be intelligibly uttered: because you are become weak to hear.

For whereas for the time you ought to be masters, you have need to be taught again what are the first elements of the words of God: and you are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat.

For every one that is a partaker of milk is unskilful in the word of justice: for he is a little child.

But strong meat is for the perfect: for them who by custom have their senses exercised to the discerning of good and evil.

Wherefore, leaving the word of the beginning of Christ, let us go on to things more perfect: not laying again the foundation of penance from dead works and of faith towards God,

Of the doctrine of baptisms and imposition of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

And this will we do, if God permit.

For it is impossible for those who were once illuminated, have tasted also the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

Have moreover tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come,

And are fallen away: to be renewed again to penance, crucifying again to themselves the Son of God and making him a mockery.

For the earth, that drinketh in the rain which cometh often upon it and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is tilled, receiveth blessing from God.

But that which bringeth forth thorns and briers is reprobate and very near unto a curse: whose end is to be burnt.

But, my dearly beloved, we trust better things of you, and nearer to salvation; though we speak thus.

For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work and the love which you have shewn in his name, you who have ministered and do minister to the saints.

And we desire that every one of you shew forth the same carefulness to the accomplishing of hope unto the end: