Matthew 23:1-12

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Religious Hypocrites Denounced

23 Then^(A) Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples:^{(B) 2} “The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses.^{[a](C) 3} Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do,^[b] because they don’t practice what they teach.^{(D) 4} They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry^[c] and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger^[d] to move them.^{(E) 5} They do everything^[e] to be observed by others: They enlarge their phylacteries^[f](F) and lengthen their tassels.^{[g](G) 6} They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues,^{(H) 7} greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people.

⁸ “But as for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi,’ because you have one Teacher,^[h] and you are all brothers.^{(I) 9} Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven.^{(J) 10} And do not be called masters either, because you have one Master,^[i] the Messiah. ¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant.^{(K) 12} Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.^(L)