Matthew 23:1-15 ▼

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

2 saying, “On the seat of Moses sat down the scribes and the Pharisees;

3 all, then, as much as they may say to you to observe, observe and do, but according to their works do not do, for they say, and do not do;

4 for they bind together burdens [too] heavy and grievous to bear, and lay [them] on the shoulders of men, but with their finger they will not move them.

5 And all their works they do to be seen by men, and they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the fringes of their garments,

6 they also cherish the first couches at the banquets, and the first seats in the synagogues,

7 and the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

8 And you may not be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher—the Christ, and you are all brothers;

9 and you may not call [any] your father on the earth, for one is your Father, who is in the heavens,

10 nor may you be called teachers, for one is your teacher—the Christ.

11 And the greater of you will be your servant,

12 and whoever will exalt himself will be humbled, and whoever will humble himself will be exalted.

13 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the kingdom of the heavens before men, for you do not go in, nor do you permit those going in to enter.

14 [[Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you eat up the houses of the widows, and for a pretense make long prayers, because of this you will receive more abundant judgment.]]

15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you go around the sea and the dry land to make one proselyte, and whenever it may happen—you make him a son of Gehenna twofold more than yourselves.