³⁸ Jesus continued teaching and said, “Beware of the ·teachers of the law [scribes]. They like to walk around ·wearing fancy clothes [in long robes], and they love for people to greet them with respect in the marketplaces. ³⁹ They love to have the most important seats in the synagogues and at ·feasts [banquets]. ⁴⁰ But they ·cheat widows and steal their houses [^Ldevour widows’ homes] and then try to make themselves look good by saying long prayers [in public]. They will receive a greater ·punishment [judgment; condemnation].”