1. Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:
2. The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law are experts in the Law of Moses.
3. So obey everything they teach you, but don't do as they do. After all, they say one thing and do something else.
4. They pile heavy burdens on people's shoulders and won't lift a finger to help.
5. Everything they do is just to show off in front of others. They even make a big show of wearing Scripture verses on their foreheads and arms, and they wear big tassels for everyone to see.
6. They love the best seats at banquets and the front seats in the meeting places.
7. And when they are in the market, they like to have people greet them as their teachers.
8. But none of you should be called a teacher. You have only one teacher, and all of you are like brothers and sisters.
9. Don't call anyone on earth your father. All of you have the same Father in heaven.
10. None of you should be called the leader. The Messiah is your only leader.
11. Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of the others.
12. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honoured.
13-14. You Pharisees and teachers of the Law of Moses are in for trouble! You're nothing but show-offs. You lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. You won't go in yourselves, and you keep others from going in.