³ Therefore whatever they tell you ^[a]to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for ^(A)they say, and do not do.

^5 (A)having a form of godliness but ^(B)denying its power. And ^(C)from such people turn away!

¹⁶ They profess to ^(A)know God, but ^(B)in works they deny Him, being ^[a]abominable, disobedient, ^(C)and disqualified for every good work.

¹⁹ and ^(A)are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, ^(B)having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. ^21 (C)You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? ²² You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, ^(D)do you rob temples? ²³ You who ^(E)make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? ²⁴ For ^(F)“the name of God is ^(G)blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.

²⁹ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ^(A)“We ought to obey God rather than men.

Submit to Government

13 Let every soul be ^(A)subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

¹² Also ^(A)the hand of God was on Judah to give them singleness of heart to obey the command of the king and the leaders, ^(B)at the word of the Lord.

³⁰ Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go.

^2 (A)“Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”

³ He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? ⁴ For God commanded, saying, ^(B)‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ^(C)‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ ⁵ But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, ^(D)“Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— ⁶ then he need not honor his father ^[a]or mother.’ Thus you have made the ^[b]commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. ^7 (E)Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: