Matthew 23:1-15 ▼

1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples,

2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses;

3 therefore all that they tell you, do and keep, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.

4 And they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.

5 But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.

6 And they love the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues,

7 and respectful greetings in the marketplaces, and being called Rabbi by men.

8 But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.

9 And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.

10 Do not be called instructors; for One is your Instructor, that is, Christ.

11 But the greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

14 [Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.]

15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.