MT 23/ 1 - 12

The scribes and Pharisees: their hypocrisy and vanity

^23:1Then addressing the crowds and his disciples Jesus said, ²'The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. ³You must therefore do and observe what they tell you; but do not be guided by what they do, since they do not practise what they preach. ⁴They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people's shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! ⁵Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader headbands and longer tassels, ⁶like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, ⁷being greeted respectfully in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi. ⁸'You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one Master, and you are all brothers. ⁹You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. ¹⁰Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. ¹¹The greatest among you must be your servant. ¹²Anyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be raised up.