6. They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues,
7. greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people.
8. “But as for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi,’ because you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.
9. Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven.
10. And do not be called masters either, because you have one Master, the Messiah.
11. The greatest among you will 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! You lock up the kingdom of heaven from people. For you don’t go in, and you don’t allow those entering to go in.
14. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You devour widows’ houses and make long prayers just for show. This is why you will receive a harsher punishment.
15. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as fit for hell as you are!
16. “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever takes an oath by the sanctuary, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by his oath.’
17. Blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that sanctified the gold?
18. Also, ‘Whoever takes an oath by the altar, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath by the gift that is on it is bound by his oath.’
19. Blind people! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
20. Therefore, the one who takes an oath by the altar takes an oath by it and by everything on it.
21. The one who takes an oath by the sanctuary takes an oath by it and by Him who dwells in it.
22. And the one who takes an oath by heaven takes an oath by God’s throne and by Him who sits on it.
23. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law — justice, mercy, and faith. These things should have been done without neglecting the others.
24. Blind guides! You strain out a gnat, yet gulp down a camel!