⁴³ for they loved human praise^(A) more than praise from God.^(B)

⁴⁴ How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God^[a]?^(A)

⁵ “Everything they do is done for people to see:^(A) They make their phylacteries^[a](B) wide and the tassels on their garments^(C) long; ⁶ they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;^{(D) 7} they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.^(E)

⁴¹ “I do not accept glory from human beings,^(A)

¹⁵ He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves^(A) in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts.^(B) What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

⁶ We were not looking for praise from people,^(A) not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles^(B) of Christ we could have asserted our authority.^(C)

¹⁸ For it is not the one who commends himself^(A) who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.^(B)

² “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

⁵ Therefore judge nothing^(A) before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.^(B) He will bring to light^(C) what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.^(D)