Matthew 23:1-15 ▼

1 Then Jesus addressing himself to the people, and to his disciples,

2 said, the Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses's chair.

3 therefore whatever moral precepts they bid you observe, those observe and practise; but don't follow their example: for they preach one thing, and practise another.

4 for they load men with intolerable impositions, and will not take the least pains to ease them of the burthen: they do nothing but out of ostentation,

5 their phylacterys are broader, and the fringes of their garments are larger than those of others:

6 they affect the uppermost place at feasts, the principal chair in the synagogues,

7 to be saluted in publick places, and to have men address to them with the title of Doctor Doctor.

8 But don't you assume that title, for you have but one doctor, who is the Christ; as for you, you are all brethren alike.

9 don't stile any one among you, Father upon earth; for he alone is your father, who is in heaven.

10 neither take the title of masters, for you have but one master, who is the Messias.

11 he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 for whosoever exalts himself, shall be abased; and he that humbles himself, shall be exalted.

13 Wo unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, who prey upon the estates of widows, under the pretext of making long prayers; therefore ye shall be punish'd with the greater severity.

14 wo unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, who shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye not only refuse to go in your selves, but hinder those that would.

15 wo unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, who ransack sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is gain'd, ye make him deserve Gehenna much more than your selves.