Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach.(A) They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry[a] and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them.(B) They do everything[b] to be seen by others: They enlarge their phylacteries(C) and lengthen their tassels.[c](D) They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues,(E) greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people.

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Footnotes

  1. 23:4 Other mss omit that are hard to carry
  2. 23:5 Lit do all their works
  3. 23:5 Other mss add on their robes

So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.(A)

“Everything they do is done for people to see:(B) They make their phylacteries[a](C) wide and the tassels on their garments(D) long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;(E) they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.(F)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 23:5 That is, boxes containing Scripture verses, worn on forehead and arm