English Standard Version

Matthew 22:12-21 English Standard Version (ESV)

12. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.

13. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

14. For many are called, but few are chosen.”

15. Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words.

16. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.

17. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

18. But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?

19. Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius.

20. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”

21. They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”