Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

⁹ My brothers, you remember how hard we worked. We worked night and day so that we would not trouble any of you. And we told you God's good news.

¹⁰ We lived in a holy and right way among you Christians. We did nothing wrong to you. You know this yourselves and God knows it too.

¹¹ You know how we talked to each of you as a father talks to his children. We comforted, helped, and taught you.

¹² We told you to live to please God. He called you to his own kingdom and greatness.

¹³ And here is another reason why we always thank God all the time. When you heard God's word from us, you did not say, `That is men's word.' But you said, `That is God's word.' And it really is God's word. The word is working in you Christians.

23 Then Jesus talked to the people and to his disciples.

² He said, `The scribes and Pharisees have taken Moses' place.

³ So obey and do everything they tell you to do. But do not do what they do. They say what should be done, but they do it not.

⁴ They make heavy loads and put them on people's backs. But they themselves will not put up even one finger to help carry the loads.

⁵ They do all their work to be seen by people. They wear bigger and bigger boxes with God's word in. And they make wider and wider borders on their gowns.

⁶ They want to sit in the best places at the feasts. They want to have the front seats in the meeting houses.

⁷ They want people to greet them in the market, and to call them "Teacher".

⁸ But people should not call you "Teacher". You have one Teacher. And you are all brothers.

⁹ `Do not call anyone on earth your "Father". You have one Father. He is in heaven.

¹⁰ People should not call you "Master". You have one Master. He is the Christ.

¹¹ The person who is greatest among you will help the others.

¹² Anyone who puts himself up will be brought down. And anyone who puts himself down will be brought up.