Matthew:23

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* Then spake Iesus to the multitude , and to his disciples , * * * * * And love the uppermost rooms at feasts , and the chief seats in the (note :)When assemblies and councils are gathered together .(:note ) synagogues , * And greetings in the markets , and to be called of men , Rabbi , (note :)This word «Rabbi » signifies one that is above his fellows , and is as good as any of them : and we may see by the repeating of it how proud a title it was . Now they were called Rabbi who , by the laying on of hands , were uttered and declared to the world to be wise men .(:note ) Rabbi . * * And call no [man ] your (note :)He attacks a custom of the Jews , for they called the rabbis «our fathers ».(:note ) father upon the earth : for one is your Father , which is in heaven . * Neither be ye called (note :)It seems that the scribes hunted very greatly after such titles , these scribes being the ones whom he called blind guides in ( Mat_23:16 ).(:note ) masters : for one is your Master , [even ] Christ . * But he that is greatest among you , let him be your seruant . * And whosoever (note :)He seems to allude to the position of the rabbis , for rabbi signifies one that is in a high position .(:note ) shall exalt himself shall be abased ; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted . * * * Woe unto you , scribes and Pharisees , hypocrites ! for ye compass sea and (note :)The dry part : now that part of the earth is called dry which the Lord has given to us to live upon .(:note ) land to make one proselyte , and when he is made , ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves . * Woe unto you , [ye ] blind guides , which say , Whosoever shall swear by the temple , it is nothing ; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple , he (note :)Is a debtor . In the Syrian language , sins are called «Debts », and it is certain that Christ spoke in Syrian .(:note ) is a debtor ! * [Ye ] fools and blind : for whether is greater , the gold , or the temple that (note :)Causes the gold which is dedicated to a holy use to be considered holy .(:note ) sanctifieth the gold ? * And whosoeuer sweareth by the altar , it is nothing : but whosoeuer sweareth by the offering that is vpon it , offendeth . * Ye fooles and blinde , whether is greater , the offering , or the altar which sanctifieth the offering ? * Whosoeuer therefore sweareth by the altar , sweareth by it , and by all things thereon . * And whosoeuer sweareth by the Temple , sweareth by it , and by him that dwelleth therein . * And he that shall swear by heaven , sweareth by the (note :)If heaven is God 's throne , than he is without doubt above this entire world .(:note ) throne of God , and by him that sitteth thereon . * * Ye blinde guides , which straine out a gnat , and swallowe a camell . * * Thou blinde Pharise , cleanse first the inside of the cup and platter , that the outside of them may be cleane also . * Wo be to you , Scribes and Pharises , hypocrites : for ye are like vnto whited tombes , which appeare beautifull outward , but are within full of dead mens bones , and all filthines . * So are ye also : for outwarde ye appeare righteous vnto men , but within ye are full of hypocrisie and iniquitie . * * And say , If we had bene in the dayes of our fathers , we would not haue bene partners with them in the blood of the Prophets . * So then ye be witnesses vnto your selues , that ye are the children of them that murthered the Prophets . * * O serpents , the generation of vipers , howe should ye escape the damnation of hell ! * * * Verely I say vnto you , all these things shall come vpon this generation . * * Beholde , your habitation shalbe left vnto you desolate , * For I say vnto you , ye shall not see mee henceforth till that ye say , Blessed is he that commeth in the Name of the Lord .

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