Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees

Part 13a

Then Jesus spoke to all His disciples and to the multitudes. He spoke so that everyone could hear what He had to say.

Jesus said,

“Beware of the scribes and the Pharisees. When they speak for Moses, do as they say, but do not do what they do.

They bind heavy burdens too heavy to carry and lay them on men’s shoulders, while they themselves will not lift a finger to keep the very commandments that they ask others to do.

They do their works to be seen by men. They like to be seen keeping the law and make themselves conspicuous whenever they do a good work.

They love to wear the clothing of rulers and kings, and they love to sit in the seats of honor at all events. They love the greetings they receive in the marketplace, and they love to be called Master.

They take advantage of the widows and figure out ways to profit from the duties they have. They make a pretense of long prayers.

These will receive greater condemnation.

But do not desire to be called Teacher, for only one is your teacher.

Do not call any man your father except your earthly father and your Father who is in heaven. Do not let them call you Master, for only one is your master. That is Christ.

He who would be the greatest among you let him be the servant of all. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees. You shut the doors to the kingdom to others and do not even try to enter into the kingdom yourself.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees. You are hypocrites! For you go sailing around the world to make one convert, and when you make a convert, you turn him into twice the son of hell that you are yourselves.

You are the blind leading the blind.”