Matthew 23:1-22
Then Jesus
spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples,
saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses' seat.
All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and
do, but don't do their works; for they say, and don't do.
For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay
them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help
them.
But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their
phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments, and love the place
of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi, Rabbi'
by men.
But don't you be called 'Rabbi,' for one is your teacher, the Christ,
and all of you are brothers.
Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who
is in heaven.
Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ.
But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself
will be exalted.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour
widows' houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will
receive greater condemnation.
"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you
shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you don't enter in yourselves,
neither do you allow those who are entering in to enter.
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 Gehenna as yourselves.
"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.'
You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold, or the temple that
sanctifies the gold?
'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the
gift that is on it, he is obligated.'
You blind fools! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that
sanctifies the gift?
He therefore who swears by the altar, swears by it, and by everything
on it.
He who swears by the temple, swears by it, and by him who was living
in it.
He who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who
sits on it.
Insight- The scribes and the Pharisees lived false lives, not
practising what they preached and Jesus advised his disciples not to be like
them. Jesus pronounced woes on the Pharisees and scribes for their hypocrisy.
Question- Do you encounter people like the scribes and the Pharisees
who compel you to do things that they themselves do not do?
Prayer- Dear Father in heaven, help me to keep my life free of
hypocrisy; let me a true worshiper. In Jesus name. Amen.
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