Matthew 23:16-22 ▼

16 "Alas for you, you blind guides, who say, "'Whoever swears by the Sanctuary it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the Sanctuary, is bound by the oath.'

17 "Blind fools! Why, which is greater? --the gold, or the Sanctuary which has made the gold holy?

18 And you say, "'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the offering lying on it is bound by the oath.'

19 "You are blind! Why, which is greater? --the offering, or the altar which makes the offering holy?

20 He who swears by the altar swears both by it and by everything on it;

21 he who swears by the Sanctuary swears both by it and by Him who dwells in it;

22 and he who swears by Heaven swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.