Matthew 23:1–12

RELIGIOUS HYPOCRITES DENOUNCED

23Then^k Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples:^{l 2}“The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses.^{m 3}Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach.^{n 4}They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry^A and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them.^{o 5}They do everything^B to be seen by others: They enlarge their phylacteries^p and lengthen their tassels.^{Cq 6}They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues,^{r 7}greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people.

⁸“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ because you have one Teacher,^D and you are all brothers and sisters.^{s 9}Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven.^{t 10}You are not to be called instructors either, because you have one Instructor, the Messiah. ¹¹The greatest among you will be your servant.^{u 12}Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.^v