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23 Then Jesus spoke to the multitude, and to His disciples,

saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.

“Therefore, all of whatever they ask you to observe, observe and do. But do not imitate their deeds, for they do not do as they say.

“For they bind heavy burdens, and hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders. But they themselves will not lift a finger to move them.

“They do all their works to be seen by man. For they make their phylacteries broad, and the fringes of their garments long.

“And they love the chief place at feasts, and to have the chief seats in the assemblies;

“and greetings in the markets, and to be called by man, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’

“But do not be called, ‘Rabbi’. For One is your Master - Christ, and all of you are brothers.

“And call no man your father upon the earth. For there is but One, your Father Who is in Heaven.

10 “Do not be called ‘Masters’. For One is your Master - Christ.

11 “But the one who is greatest among you, let him be your servant.

12 “For whoever will exalt himself shall be brought low. And whoever will humble himself shall be exalted.

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A Warning Against Hypocrisy(A)(B)

23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law(C) and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.(D)

“Everything they do is done for people to see:(E) They make their phylacteries[a](F) wide and the tassels on their garments(G) long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;(H) they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.(I)

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father,(J) and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant.(K) 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 23:5 That is, boxes containing Scripture verses, worn on forehead and arm