⁴⁶ “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.^(A)

⁴³ “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.^(A)

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

³⁸ As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, ³⁹ and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.^(A)

⁷ When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table,^(A) he told them this parable:

³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.^(A) Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,^{(B) 4} not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.^(C)

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:^(D)

Warnings and Encouragements^(A)

12 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be^[a] on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.^(B)

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)

⁶ “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”^(A)

⁹ I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.