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
24
Blind guides! You strain a fly out of your drink, but swallow a camel!