Matthew 23:1-12

Evangelical Heritage Version

Do Not Do As They Do

23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples. ² He said, “The experts in the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ So practice and observe whatever they tell you. But do not do as they do, because they do not practice what they preach. ⁴ They tie up heavy loads, burdens that are hard to carry, and place them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to help them. ⁵ They do all their works to be seen by people. They make their phylacteries^[a] wide and lengthen the fringes of their garments. ⁶ They love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, ⁷ the greetings in the marketplaces, and being called ‘Rabbi’ by people. ⁸ But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. ⁹ Also do not call anyone on earth your ‘Father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. ¹⁰ And you are not to be called ‘leaders,’ for you have one Leader, the Christ. ¹¹ But the greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.