Matthew 23:1-22 ▼

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

2 saying, |Upon the seat of Moses the Pharisees and scribes sit.

3 All which they will say unto you, observe and do; but their works do not do, because they say, and do not do.

4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them.

5 But all their works they do to be seen by others. They make their tefillin broad and enlarge the fringe of their garments,

6 and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,

7 the greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi' by people.

8 But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for one is your Teacher, and all of you are brothers.

9 Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven.

10 Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ.

11 But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.

12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

13 |Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. For you devour the houses of widows, and for show make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

14 |Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. For you shut up the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter in yourselves, neither do you allow those who are entering in to enter.

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

16 |Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.'

17 You blind fools. For which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctified the gold?

18 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated?'

19 You blind people. For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?

20 He therefore who swears by the altar, swears by it, and by everything on it.

21 He who swears by the temple, swears by it, and by him who dwells in it.

22 He who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits on it.