²⁰ that you have made a fatal mistake. For you yourselves sent me to the Lord your God, saying, ‘Pray for us to the Lord our God, and whatever the Lord our God says, tell us, and we will do it.’

²² But be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.^(A)

⁷ Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.^(A)

³⁵ and one of them, an expert in the law, asked him a question to test him.^(A)

The Question about Paying Taxes

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. ¹⁶ So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one, for you do not regard people with partiality.^{(A) 17} Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”^{(B) 18} But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites?

³¹ They come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but they will not obey them. For flattery is on their lips, but their heart is set on their gain.^[a](A)

³ Mortal, these men have taken their idols into their hearts and placed their iniquity as a stumbling block before them; shall I let myself be consulted by them?^{(A) 4} Therefore speak to them, and say to them: Thus says the Lord God: Any of those of the house of Israel who take their idols into their hearts and place their iniquity as a stumbling block before them and yet come to the prophet, I the Lord will answer those who come with the multitude of their idols,

² the prophet Jeremiah and said, “Be good enough to listen to our plea, and pray to the Lord your God for us—for all this remnant. For there are only a few of us left out of many, as your eyes can see.^(A)

¹⁰ Yet for all this her false sister Judah did not return to me with her whole heart but only in pretense, says the Lord.^(A)