Replies

1 Tim. 5:17 17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

qui bene praesunt presbyteri duplici honore digni habeantur maxime qui laborant in verbo et doctrina

οι καλως προεστωτες πρεσβυτεροι διπλης τιμης αξιουσθωσαν μαλιστα οι κοπιωντες εν λογω και διδασκαλια

or Acts 15:6 συνηχθησαν δε οι αποστολοι και οι πρεσβυτεροι ιδειν περι του λογου τουτου
conveneruntque apostoli et seniores videre de verbo hoc

And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

The English word "priest" is derived from the Greek word presbuteros, which is commonly rendered into Bible English as "elder" or "presbyter.

take Acts 20:17-38
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church./ a Mileto autem mittens Ephesum vocavit maiores natu ecclesiae

And 28: Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. / adtendite vobis et universo gregi in quo vos Spiritus Sanctus posuit episcopos regere ecclesiam Dei quam adquisivit sanguine suo

So, the presbuteros (priest in English) were made overseers of the flock, to feed the Church of God..

So I exhort the elders [presbyters] among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed: Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is manifested you will obtain the unfading crown of glory. (1 Pet 5:1-4)

So, buddy boy, the Cynic's interpretation negating Christ's teachings on the royal priesthood of all believers with the elders/ministerial priesthood is utterly wrong.