Matthew 23:1-12

The Voice

Jesus: ² The Pharisees and the scribes occupy the seat of Moses. ³ So you should do the things they tell you to do—but don’t do the things they do. ⁴ They heap heavy burdens upon their neighbors’ backs, and they prove unwilling to do anything to help shoulder the load. ⁵ They are interested, above all, in presentation: they wrap their heads and arms in the accoutrements of prayer, they cloak themselves with flowing tasseled prayer garments, ⁶ they covet the seats of honor at fine banquets and in the synagogue, ⁷ and they love it when people recognize them in the marketplace, call them “Teacher,” and beam at them.

⁸ But you: do not let anyone call you “Rabbi,” that is, “Teacher.” For you are all brothers, and you have only one teacher, the Anointed One. ⁹ Indeed, do not call anyone on earth “Father,” for you have only one father, and He is in heaven. ¹⁰ Neither let anyone call you “leader,” for you have one leader—the Anointed One. ¹¹ If you are recognized at all, let it be for your service. Delight in the one who calls you servant. ¹² For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.