Matthew 23:13-23

13 "How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You lock the door to the Kingdom of heaven in people's faces, but you yourselves don't go in, nor do you allow in those who are trying to enter!
15 "How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You sail the seas and cross whole countries to win one convert; and when you succeed, you make him twice as deserving of going to hell as you yourselves are!
16 "How terrible for you, blind guides! You teach, "If someone swears by the Temple, he isn't bound by his vow; but if he swears by the gold in the Temple, he is bound.'
17 Blind fools! Which is more important, the gold or the Temple which makes the gold holy?
18 You also teach, "If someone swears by the altar, he isn't bound by his vow; but if he swears by the gift on the altar, he is bound.'
19 How blind you are! Which is the more important, the gift or the altar which makes the gift holy
20 So then, when a person swears by the altar, he is swearing by it and by all the gifts on it;
21 and when he swears by the Temple, he is swearing by it and by God, who lives there
22 and when someone swears by heaven, he is swearing by God's throne and by him who sits on it. 1
23 "How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You give to God one tenth even of the seasoning herbs, such as mint, dill, and cumin, but you neglect to obey the really important teachings of the Law, such as justice and mercy and honesty. These you should practice, without neglecting the others. 2

Cross References 2

  • 1. 23.22Isaiah 66.1;Matthew 5.34.
  • 2. 23.23Leviticus 27.30.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. [Some manuscripts add verse 14:] How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You take advantage of widows and rob them of their homes, and then make a show of saying long prayers! Because of this your punishment will be all the worse! [(see Mk 12.40).]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.