Matthew 23:1-12

Lexham English Bible

Seven Woes Pronounced on the Scribes and Pharisees

23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, ² saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on the seat of Moses. ³ Therefore do and observe everything that they tell you, but do not do as they do,^[a] for they tell others to do something^[b] and do not do it themselves.^{[c] 4} And they tie up heavy burdens^[d] and put them^[e] on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing with their finger to move them. ⁵ And they do all their deeds in order to be seen by people, for they make their phylacteries broad and make their^[f] tassels long. ⁶ And they love the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues ⁷ and the greetings in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people. ⁸ But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ because one is your teacher, and you are all brothers, ⁹ And do not call anyone^[g] your father on earth, for one is your heavenly Father. ¹⁰ And do not be called teachers, because one is your teacher, the Christ. ¹¹ And the greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.