Matthew 23:1-17

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

23 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples,

² Saying: The scribes and the Pharisees have sitten on the chair of Moses.

³ All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye not; for they say, and do not.

⁴ For they bind heavy and insupportable burdens, and lay them on men's shoulders; but with a finger of their own they will not move them.

⁵ And all their works they do for to be seen of men. For they make their phylacteries broad, and enlarge their fringes.

⁶ And they love the first places at feasts, and the first chairs in the synagogues,

⁷ And salutations in the market place, and to be called by men, Rabbi.

⁸ But be not you called Rabbi. For one is your master; and all you are brethren.

⁹ And call none your father upon earth; for one is your father, who is in heaven.

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

¹¹ He that is the greatest among you shall be your servant.

¹² And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

¹³ But woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men, for you yourselves do not enter in; and those that are going in, you suffer not to enter.

¹⁴ Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites: because you devour the houses of widows, praying long prayers. For this you shall receive the greater judgment.

¹⁵ Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you go round about the sea and the land to make one proselyte; and when he is made, you make him the child of hell twofold more than yourselves.

¹⁶ Woe to you blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but he that shall swear by the gold of the temple, is a debtor.

¹⁷ Ye foolish and blind; for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?