16. "How terrible for you, blind guides! You say, 'If anyone takes an oath in the name of the temple, it means nothing. But anyone who takes an oath in the name of the gold of the temple must keep the oath.'
17. You are blind and foolish! Which is more important? Is it the gold? Or is it the temple that makes the gold holy?
18. "You also say, 'If anyone takes an oath in the name of the altar, it means nothing. But anyone who takes an oath in the name of the gift on it must keep the oath.'
19. You blind men! Which is more important? Is it the gift? Or is it the altar that makes the gift holy?
20. "So anyone who takes an oath in the name of the altar takes an oath in the name of it and of everything on it.
21. And anyone who takes an oath in the name of the temple takes an oath in the name of it and of the One who lives in it.
22. And anyone who takes an oath in the name of heaven takes an oath in the name of God's throne and of the One who sits on it.
23. "How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You pretenders! You give God a tenth of your spices, like mint, dill and cummin. But you have not practiced the more important things of the law, like fairness, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the last things without failing to do the first.