Matthew: 23: 1-7, 13-33-
1 Then Jesus told the crowds and his disciples: 2 "The scribes and the Pharisees have succeeded Moses as teachers; 3 therefore, do everything and observe everything they tell you. But do not follow their example. 4 Their words are bold but their deeds are few. They bind up heavy loads, hard to carry, to lay on other men’s shoulders, while they themselves will not lift a finger to budge them. 5 All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and wear huge tassels. 6 They are fond of places of honor at banquets and the front seats in synagogues, 7 of marks of respect in public and of being called ‘Rabbi.’ 13 “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you frauds! You shut the doors of the kingdom of God in men’s faces, neither entering yourselves nor admitting those who are trying to enter. 14 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you frauds. You devour the houses of widows, praying long prayers. For this you shall receive a greater judgment. 15 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you frauds! You travel over sea and land to make a single convert, but once he is converted you make a devil of him twice as wicked as yourselves. 16 It is an evil day for you, blind guides! You declare, ‘If a man swears by the temple it means nothing, but if he swears by the gold of the temple he is obligated. 17 Blind fools! Which is more important, the gold or the temple which makes it sacred? 18 Again you declare, ‘If a man swears by the gift on the altar he is obligated.’ 19 How blind you are! Which is more important, the offering or the altar which makes the offering sacred? 20 The man who swears by the altar is swearing by it and everything on it. 21 The man who swears by the temple is swearing by it and by him who dwells there. 22 The man who swears by heaven is swearing by God’s throne and by him who is seated on that throne. 23 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you frauds! You pay tithes on mint and herbs and seeds while neglecting the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and good faith. It is these you should have practiced, without neglecting the others. 24 Blind guides! You strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! 25 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you frauds! You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, and leave the inside filled with loot and lust! 26 Blind Pharisee! First cleanse the inside of the cup so that its outside may be clean. 27 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you frauds! You are like white-washed tombs, beautiful to look at on the outside but inside full of filth and dead men’s bones. 28 Thus you present to view a holy exterior while hypocrisy and evil fill you within. 29 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you frauds! You erect tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the saints. 30 You say, ‘Had we lived in our forefathers’ time we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ 31 Thus you show that you are the sons of the prophets’ murderers. 32 Now it is your turn: fill up the vessel measured out by your forefathers. 33 Vipers’ nest! Brood of serpents! How can you escape condemnation to Gehenna?”
Agreed.
