Matthew 23

Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees

1. Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,

2. “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat,

3. so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.

4. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear,[a] and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.

5. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,

6. and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues

7. and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi[b] by others.

8. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.[c]

9. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.

10. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.

11. The greatest among you shall be your servant.

12. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

13. “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.[d]

Footnotes:
a. Matthew 23:4: Some manuscripts omit hard to bear
b. Matthew 23:7: Rabbi means my teacher, or my master; also verse 8
c. Matthew 23:8: Or brothers and sisters
d. Matthew 23:13: Some manuscripts add here (or after verse 12) verse 14: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation
e. Matthew 23:15: Greek Gehenna; also verse 33
f. Matthew 23:35: Some manuscripts omit the son of Barachiah