马太福音 23
Chinese New Version (Traditional)
經學家和法利賽人有禍了(A)
23 那時,耶穌對群眾和他的門徒說: 2 “經學家和法利賽人坐在摩西的座位上, 3 所以凡他們吩咐你們的,你們都要遵行和謹守,但不可效法他們的行為,因為他們只會說而不去作。 4 他們把重擔捆起來,壓在人的肩頭上,但自己連一個指頭也不肯動。 5 他們所作的一切,都是要作給人看:他們把經文的匣子做大了,衣服的繸子做長了; 6 他們喜歡筵席上的首位、會堂裡的高位; 7 又喜歡人在市中心向他們問安,稱呼他們‘拉比’。 8 然而你們不要被人稱為‘拉比’,因為只有一位是你們的老師,你們都是弟兄。 9 不要稱呼地上的人為父,因為只有一位是你們的父,就是天父。 10 你們也不要被人稱為師傅,因為只有一位是你們的師傅,就是基督。 11 你們中間最大的,必作你們的僕人。 12 凡高抬自己的,必被降卑;凡自己謙卑的,必被升高。
13 “虛偽的經學家和法利賽人哪,你們有禍了!你們在人面前關了天國的門,自己不進去,連正要進去的人,你們也不准他們進去。(有些抄本有第14節:“虛偽的經學家和法利賽人哪,你們有禍了!你們吞沒了寡婦的房產,假裝作冗長的禱告,所以你們必受更重的刑罰。”)
15 “虛偽的經學家和法利賽人哪,你們有禍了!你們走遍海洋陸地,要使一個人入教;當他入了教,你們卻使他淪為地獄之子,比你們更甚。
16 “你們這些瞎眼的嚮導有禍了!你們說:‘凡指著聖所而起的誓,是沒有用的;但指著聖所的金子而起的誓,就必須遵守。’ 17 你們這些瞎眼的愚昧人哪,到底是金子大,還是使金子成聖的聖所大呢? 18 你們又說:‘凡指著祭壇所起的誓,是沒有用的;但指著壇上的祭物所起的誓,就必須遵守。’ 19 瞎眼的人哪!到底是祭物大,還是使祭物成聖的祭壇大呢? 20 所以,凡指著祭壇起誓的,他就是指著祭壇和壇上的一切起誓; 21 指著聖所起誓的,就是指著聖所和住在那裡的 神起誓; 22 指著天起誓的,就是指著 神的寶座和坐在寶座上的起誓。
23 “虛偽的經學家和法利賽人哪,你們有禍了!你們把薄荷、茴香、芹菜,獻上十分之一,卻忽略律法上更重要的,就如正義、憐憫和信實;這些更重要的是你們應當作的,但其他的也不可忽略。 24 你們這些瞎眼的嚮導啊,你們把蚊蟲濾出來,卻把駱駝吞下去。
25 “虛偽的經學家和法利賽人哪,你們有禍了!你們洗淨杯盤的外面,裡面卻裝滿了搶奪和放蕩。 26 瞎眼的法利賽人哪,先把杯和盤的裡面洗淨,好使外面也可以乾淨。
27 “虛偽的經學家和法利賽人哪,你們有禍了!你們好像粉飾了的墳墓,外面好看,裡面卻裝滿了死人的骨頭和各樣的污穢; 28 照樣,你們外面看來像義人,裡面卻充塞著虛偽和不法。
29 “虛偽的經學家和法利賽人哪,你們有禍了!你們建造先知的墓,修飾義人的碑, 30 並且說:‘我們若活在我們祖先的時代,決不會與他們一同流先知的血。’ 31 這樣,你們就指證自己是殺害先知的人的子孫了。 32 那麼,去完成你們祖先的罪孽吧! 33 你們這些蛇,這些毒蛇所生的啊,你們怎能逃脫地獄的刑罰呢? 34 因此,我差派先知、智慧人和經學家到你們那裡;有些你們要殺害又釘在十字架上,有些你們要在會堂裡鞭打,從一個城趕逐到另一個城。 35 所以,從義人亞伯的血起,到巴拉加的兒子撒迦利亞的血為止,他就是你們在聖所和祭壇中間所殺的,所有義人在地上所流的血,都要歸在你們身上。 36 我實在告訴你們,這一切都必臨到這個世代。
為耶路撒冷歎息(參(B)
37 “耶路撒冷,耶路撒冷啊,你殺害先知,又用石頭把奉派到你們那裡的人打死。我多次想招聚你的兒女,好像母雞招聚小雞到翅膀底下,只是你們不願意。 38 你看,你們的家必成為荒場,留給你們。 39 我告訴你們,從今以後,你們一定見不到我,直等到你們說:‘奉主名來的,是應當稱頌的。’”
馬太福音 23
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
譴責律法教師和法利賽人
23 隨後,耶穌對百姓和門徒說: 2 「律法教師和法利賽人坐在摩西的位子上講授律法。 3 你們要遵行他們的教導,但不要效法他們的行為,因為他們言行不一。 4 他們捆好重擔放在別人肩上,而自己連一根指頭也不肯動!
5 「他們的所作所為是為了給人看的,他們把額上佩戴的經文盒子加寬了,又將衣裳的穗邊加長了。 6 他們喜歡宴席中的上座和會堂裡的首位。 7 他們喜歡別人在街市上問候他們,稱呼他們為老師[a]。 8 但你們不要讓別人稱呼你們為老師,因為你們只有一位老師,你們彼此都是弟兄。 9 不要稱呼地上的人為父親,因為你們只有一位父親,祂在天上。 10 不要讓人稱你們為導師,因為你們只有一位導師——基督。 11 你們當中誰最偉大,誰就要作你們的僕人。 12 自高的人必遭貶抑,謙卑的人必得尊榮。
13 「虛偽的律法教師和法利賽人啊,你們有禍了!因為你們當著人們的面關閉天國之門,自己不進去,也不讓別人進去。
14 「虛偽的律法教師和法利賽人啊,你們有禍了!因為你們侵吞寡婦的財產,還假意做冗長的禱告。因此,你們會受到更嚴厲的刑罰。[b]
15 「虛偽的律法教師和法利賽人啊,你們有禍了!因為你們走遍海洋和陸地去引人入教,等人入了教,卻使他淪為地獄之子,比你們還壞兩倍。
16 「瞎眼的嚮導啊,你們有禍了!你們說,『指著聖殿發誓,不算數;但是指著聖殿裡的金子發誓,就要遵守誓言。』 17 無知的瞎子啊!金子重要呢?還是使金子神聖的聖殿重要呢? 18 你們又說,『指著祭壇發誓不算數,但是指著壇上的供物發誓,就要遵守誓言。』 19 瞎眼的人啊!供物重要呢?還是使供物神聖的祭壇重要呢? 20 其實指著祭壇發誓,就是指著祭壇和壇上的一切東西發誓。 21 指著聖殿發誓,就是指著聖殿和住在裡面的上帝發誓。 22 指著天發誓,就是指著上帝的寶座和坐在寶座上的那位發誓。
23 「虛偽的律法教師和法利賽人啊,你們有禍了!你們把薄荷、茴香、芹菜獻上十分之一,卻忽略了律法中更重要的事——公正、憐憫、信實。後者是你們本該做的,前者也不可忽略。 24 瞎眼的嚮導啊!你們濾出蚊蟲,卻吞下駱駝。
25 「虛偽的律法教師和法利賽人啊,你們有禍了!你們洗淨杯盤的外面,裡頭卻盛滿了貪婪和放縱。 26 瞎眼的法利賽人啊!要先洗淨杯盤的裡面,好讓外面也乾淨。[c]
27 「虛偽的律法教師和法利賽人啊,你們有禍了!你們好像粉飾的墳墓,外表好看,裡面卻裝滿了死人的骨頭和各樣污穢之物。 28 你們虛有公義的外表,內心卻充滿了各種的虛偽和罪惡。
29 「虛偽的律法教師和法利賽人啊,你們有禍了!你們為先知建墓,為義人修碑,並且說, 30 『如果我們活在我們祖先的時代,絕不會和他們一起去殺害先知。』 31 這樣,你們自己證明自己是殺害先知之人的後代。 32 去填滿你們祖先的罪惡吧! 33 你們這些蛇,這些毒蛇的後代啊,你們怎能逃脫地獄的刑罰呢?
34 「看啊,我派先知、智者和律法教師到你們當中,有的會遭到你們的殺害,被你們釘在十字架上;有的會在會堂裡被你們鞭打,被你們從這城追到那城。 35 因此,所有義人在地上所流的血,就是從義人亞伯的血,直到你們在聖所和祭壇之間所殺的巴拉加的兒子撒加利亞的血,都要歸到你們身上。 36 我實在告訴你們,這一切的罪責都要歸到這個世代。
為耶路撒冷哀歎
37 「耶路撒冷啊!耶路撒冷啊!你常殺害先知,又用石頭打死派到你那裡的使者。我多次想要招聚你的兒女,像母雞將小雞聚集在翅膀底下,可是你們卻不肯。 38 看啊!你們的家園將一片荒涼。 39 我告訴你們,從現在起,直到你們說『奉主名來的當受稱頌』那天之前,你們再也見不到我了。」
Matthew 23
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 23[a]
Denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees. 1 (A)Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 [b]saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 4 (B)They tie up heavy burdens[c] [hard to carry] and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. 5 [d](C)All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 [e](D)They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, 7 greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 8 [f]As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. 10 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Messiah. 11 (E)The greatest among you must be your servant. 12 (F)Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
13 [g](G)“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven[h] before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter. [14 ][i]
15 [j]“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves.
16 [k](H)“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’ 17 Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’ 19 You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 (I)One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; 21 one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; 22 one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it.
23 (J)“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes[l] of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. [But] these you should have done, without neglecting the others. 24 [m](K)Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!
25 [n](L)“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.
27 [o]“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. 28 (M)Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.
29 [p]“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees,[q] you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, 30 (N)and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ 31 (O)Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; 32 now fill up what your ancestors measured out! 33 (P)You serpents, you brood of vipers, how can you flee from the judgment of Gehenna? 34 [r](Q)Therefore, behold, I send to you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, 35 so that there may come upon you all the righteous blood shed upon earth, from the righteous blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 Amen, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
The Lament over Jerusalem.[s] 37 (R)“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you were unwilling!(S) 38 (T)Behold, your house will be abandoned, desolate. 39 (U)I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Footnotes
- 23:1–39 The final section of the narrative part of the fifth book of the gospel is a denunciation by Jesus of the scribes and the Pharisees (see note on Mt 3:7). It depends in part on Mark and Q (cf. Mk 12:38–39; Lk 11:37–52; 13:34–35), but in the main it is peculiar to Matthew. (For the reasons against considering this extensive body of sayings-material either as one of the structural discourses of this gospel or as part of the one that follows in Mt 24–25, see note on Mt 19:1–23:39.) While the tradition of a deep opposition between Jesus and the Pharisees is well founded, this speech reflects an opposition that goes beyond that of Jesus’ ministry and must be seen as expressing the bitter conflict between Pharisaic Judaism and the church of Matthew at the time when the gospel was composed. The complaint often made that the speech ignores the positive qualities of Pharisaism and of its better representatives is true, but the complaint overlooks the circumstances that gave rise to the invective. Nor is the speech purely anti-Pharisaic. The evangelist discerns in his church many of the same faults that he finds in its opponents and warns his fellow Christians to look to their own conduct and attitudes.
- 23:2–3 Have taken their seat…Moses: it is uncertain whether this is simply a metaphor for Mosaic teaching authority or refers to an actual chair on which the teacher sat. It has been proved that there was a seat so designated in synagogues of a later period than that of this gospel. Do and observe…they tell you: since the Matthean Jesus abrogates Mosaic law (Mt 5:31–42), warns his disciples against the teaching of the Pharisees (Mt 14:1–12), and, in this speech, denounces the Pharisees as blind guides in respect to their teaching on oaths (Mt 23:16–22), this commandment to observe all things whatsoever they (the scribes and Pharisees) tell you cannot be taken as the evangelist’s understanding of the proper standard of conduct for his church. The saying may reflect a period when the Matthean community was largely Jewish Christian and was still seeking to avoid a complete break with the synagogue. Matthew has incorporated this traditional material into the speech in accordance with his view of the course of salvation history, in which he portrays the time of Jesus’ ministry as marked by the fidelity to the law, although with significant pointers to the new situation that would exist after his death and resurrection (see note on Mt 5:17–20). The crowds and the disciples (Mt 23:1) are exhorted not to follow the example of the Jewish leaders, whose deeds do not conform to their teaching (Mt 23:3).
- 23:4 Tie up heavy burdens: see note on Mt 11:28.
- 23:5 To the charge of preaching but not practicing (Mt 23:3), Jesus adds that of acting in order to earn praise. The disciples have already been warned against this same fault (see note on Mt 6:1–18). Phylacteries: the Mosaic law required that during prayer small boxes containing parchments on which verses of scripture were written be worn on the left forearm and the forehead (see Ex 13:9, 16; Dt 6:8; 11:18). Tassels: see note on Mt 9:20. The widening of phylacteries and the lengthening of tassels were for the purpose of making these evidences of piety more noticeable.
- 23:6–7 Cf. Mk 12:38–39. ‘Rabbi’: literally, “my great one,” a title of respect for teachers and leaders.
- 23:8–12 These verses, warning against the use of various titles, are addressed to the disciples alone. While only the title ‘Rabbi’ has been said to be used in addressing the scribes and Pharisees (Mt 23:7), the implication is that Father and ‘Master’ also were. The prohibition of these titles to the disciples suggests that their use was present in Matthew’s church. The Matthean Jesus forbids not only the titles but the spirit of superiority and pride that is shown by their acceptance. Whoever exalts…will be exalted: cf. Lk 14:11.
- 23:13–36 This series of seven “woes,” directed against the scribes and Pharisees and addressed to them, is the heart of the speech. The phrase woe to occurs often in the prophetic and apocalyptic literature, expressing horror of a sin and punishment for those who commit it. Hypocrites: see note on Mt 6:2. The hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees consists in the difference between their speech and action (Mt 23:3) and in demonstrations of piety that have no other purpose than to enhance their reputation as religious persons (Mt 23:5).
- 23:13 You lock the kingdom of heaven: cf. Mt 16:19 where Jesus tells Peter that he will give him the keys to the kingdom of heaven. The purpose of the authority expressed by that metaphor is to give entrance into the kingdom (the kingdom is closed only to those who reject the authority); here the charge is made that the authority of the scribes and Pharisees is exercised in such a way as to be an obstacle to entrance. Cf. Lk 11:52 where the accusation against the “scholars of the law” (Matthew’s scribes) is that they “have taken away the key of knowledge.”
- 23:14 Some manuscripts add a verse here or after Mt 23:12, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. Because of this, you will receive a very severe condemnation.” Cf. Mk 12:40; Lk 20:47. This “woe” is almost identical with Mk 12:40 and seems to be an interpolation derived from that text.
- 23:15 In the first century A.D. until the First Jewish Revolt against Rome (A.D. 66–70), many Pharisees conducted a vigorous missionary campaign among Gentiles. Convert: literally, “proselyte,” a Gentile who accepted Judaism fully by submitting to circumcision and all other requirements of Mosaic law. Child of Gehenna: worthy of everlasting punishment; for Gehenna, see note on Mt 5:22. Twice as much as yourselves: possibly this refers simply to the zeal of the convert, surpassing that of the one who converted him.
- 23:16–22 An attack on the casuistry that declared some oaths binding (one is obligated) and others not (it means nothing) and held the binding oath to be the one made by something of lesser value (the gold; the gift on the altar). Such teaching, which inverts the order of values, reveals the teachers to be blind guides; cf. Mt 15:14. Since the Matthean Jesus forbids all oaths to his disciples (Mt 5:33–37), this woe does not set up a standard for Christian moral conduct, but ridicules the Pharisees on their own terms.
- 23:23 The Mosaic law ordered tithing of the produce of the land (Lv 27:30; Dt 14:22–23), and the scribal tradition is said here to have extended this law to even the smallest herbs. The practice is criticized not in itself but because it shows the Pharisees’ preoccupation with matters of less importance while they neglect the weightier things of the law.
- 23:24 Cf. Lv 11:41–45 that forbids the eating of any “swarming creature.” The Pharisees’ scrupulosity about minor matters and neglect of greater ones (Mt 23:23) is further brought out by this contrast between straining liquids that might contain a tiny “swarming creature” and yet swallowing the camel. The latter was one of the unclean animals forbidden by the law (Lv 11:4), but it is hardly possible that the scribes and Pharisees are being denounced as guilty of so gross a violation of the food laws. To swallow the camel is only a hyperbolic way of speaking of their neglect of what is important.
- 23:25–26 The ritual washing of utensils for dining (cf. Mk 7:4) is turned into a metaphor illustrating a concern for appearances while inner purity is ignored. The scribes and Pharisees are compared to cups carefully washed on the outside but filthy within. Self-indulgence: the Greek word here translated means lack of self-control, whether in drinking or in sexual conduct.
- 23:27–28 The sixth woe, like the preceding one, deals with concern for externals and neglect of what is inside. Since contact with dead bodies, even when one was unaware of it, caused ritual impurity (Nm 19:11–22), tombs were whitewashed so that no one would contract such impurity inadvertently.
- 23:29–36 The final woe is the most serious indictment of all. It portrays the scribes and Pharisees as standing in the same line as their ancestors who murdered the prophets and the righteous.
- 23:29–32 In spite of honoring the slain dead by building their tombs and adorning their memorials, and claiming that they would not have joined in their ancestors’ crimes if they had lived in their days, the scribes and Pharisees are true children of their ancestors and are defiantly ordered by Jesus to fill up what those ancestors measured out. This order reflects the Jewish notion that there was an allotted measure of suffering that had to be completed before God’s final judgment would take place.
- 23:34–36 There are important differences between the Matthean and the Lucan form of this Q material; cf. Lk 11:49–51. In Luke the one who sends the emissaries is the “wisdom of God.” If, as many scholars think, that is the original wording of Q, Matthew, by making Jesus the sender, has presented him as the personified divine wisdom. In Luke, wisdom’s emissaries are the Old Testament “prophets” and the Christian “apostles.” Matthew’s prophets and wise men and scribes are probably Christian disciples alone; cf. Mt 10:41 and see note on Mt 13:52. You will kill: see Mt 24:9. Scourge in your synagogues…town to town: see Mt 10:17, 23 and the note on Mt 10:17. All the righteous blood shed upon the earth: the slaying of the disciples is in continuity with all the shedding of righteous blood beginning with that of Abel. The persecution of Jesus’ disciples by this generation involves the persecutors in the guilt of their murderous ancestors. The blood of Zechariah: see note on Lk 11:51. By identifying him as the son of Barachiah Matthew understands him to be Zechariah the Old Testament minor prophet; see Zec 1:1.
- 23:37–39 Cf. Lk 13:34–35. The denunciation of Pharisaic Judaism ends with this lament over Jerusalem, which has repeatedly rejected and murdered those whom God has sent to her. How many times: this may refer to various visits of Jesus to the city, an aspect of his ministry found in John but otherwise not in the synoptics. As a hen…under her wings: for imagery similar to this, see Ps 17:8; 91:4. Your house…desolate: probably an allusion to the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70. You will not see me…in the name of the Lord: Israel will not see Jesus again until he comes in glory for the final judgment. The acclamation has been interpreted in contrasting ways, as an indication that Israel will at last accept Jesus at that time, and as its troubled recognition of him as its dreaded judge who will pronounce its condemnation; in support of the latter view see Mt 24:30.
Matthew 23
New International Version
A Warning Against Hypocrisy(A)(B)
23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law(C) and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.(D)
5 “Everything they do is done for people to see:(E) They make their phylacteries[a](F) wide and the tassels on their garments(G) long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;(H) 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.(I)
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father,(J) and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant.(K) 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.(L)
Seven Woes on the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees
13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!(M) You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.(N) [14] [b]
15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert,(O) and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell(P) as you are.
16 “Woe to you, blind guides!(Q) You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’(R) 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?(S) 18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ 19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?(T) 20 Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells(U) in it. 22 And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.(V)
23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth(W) of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness.(X) You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides!(Y) You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish,(Z) but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.(AA) 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs,(AB) which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets(AC) and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.(AD) 32 Go ahead, then, and complete(AE) what your ancestors started!(AF)
33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers!(AG) How will you escape being condemned to hell?(AH) 34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify;(AI) others you will flog in your synagogues(AJ) and pursue from town to town.(AK) 35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel(AL) to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah,(AM) whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.(AN) 36 Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation.(AO)
37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,(AP) how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,(AQ) and you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate.(AR) 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’[c]”(AS)
Footnotes
- Matthew 23:5 That is, boxes containing Scripture verses, worn on forehead and arm
- Matthew 23:14 Some manuscripts include here words similar to Mark 12:40 and Luke 20:47.
- Matthew 23:39 Psalm 118:26
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