²⁰ For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds ^(A)the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

² For I bear them witness ^(A)that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. ³ For they being ignorant of ^(B)God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own ^(C)righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

⁹ and be found in Him, not having ^(A)my own righteousness, which is from the law, but ^(B)that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Present Condition of Israel

³⁰ What shall we say then? ^(A)That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, ^(B)even the righteousness of faith; ³¹ but Israel, ^(C)pursuing the law of righteousness, ^(D)has not attained to the law ^[a]of righteousness. ³² Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, ^[b]by the works of the law. For ^(E)they stumbled at that stumbling stone.

The Law, the Prophets, and the Kingdom

¹⁴ Now the Pharisees, ^(A)who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they ^[a]derided Him. ¹⁵ And He said to them, “You are those who ^(B)justify yourselves ^(C)before men, but ^(D)God knows your hearts. For ^(E)what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

² saying: ^(A)“The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ Therefore whatever they tell you ^[a]to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for ^(B)they say, and do not do. ^4 (C)For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. ⁵ But all their works they do to ^(D)be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.

³ Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, ^(A)unless one is born ^[a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

⁴ Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, ^(B)unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

^14 (A)Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, ^(B)without which no one will see the Lord:

²³ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ^(A)For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and ^(B)have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. ²⁴ Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

²⁵ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ^(C)For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and ^[a]self-indulgence. ²⁶ Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.

²⁷ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ^(D)For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. ²⁸ Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.