⁹ “So I have caused you to be despised^(A) and humiliated^(B) before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality^(C) in matters of the law.”^(D)

³⁰ “Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.^(A)’ But now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor,^(B) but those who despise^(C) me will be disdained.^(D)

¹⁷ Do not show partiality^(A) in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone,^(B) for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.”^(C)

⁶ As for those who were held in high esteem^(A)—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism^(B)—they added nothing to my message.^(C)

²¹ I will tear off your veils and save my people from your hands, and they will no longer fall prey to your power. Then you will know that I am the Lord.^(A)

²⁸ Micaiah declared, “If you ever return safely, the Lord has not spoken^(A) through me.” Then he added, “Mark my words, all you people!”

The Law and Sin

⁷ What shall we say, then?^(A) Is the law sinful? Certainly not!^(B) Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.^(C) For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”^{[a](D) 8} But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment,^(E) produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.^{(F) 9} Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. ¹⁰ I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life^(G) actually brought death.

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

⁴⁵ While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 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) 47} They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”