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Matthew 23:3-28
“ So you must be careful to do everything they say. But don’t do what they do. They don’t practice what they preach.They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry. Then they put them on other people’s shoulders. But they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them.“ Everything they do is done for others to see. On their foreheads and arms they wear little boxes that hold Scripture verses. They make the boxes very wide. And they make the tassels on their coats very long.They love to sit down in the place of honor at dinners. They also love to have the most important seats in the synagogues.They love to be greeted with respect in the markets. They love it when people call them‘ Rabbi.’“ But you shouldn’t be called‘ Rabbi.’ You have only one Teacher, and you are all brothers.Do not call anyone on earth‘ father.’ You have one Father, and he is in heaven.You shouldn’t be called‘ teacher.’ You have one Teacher, and he is the Messiah.The most important person among you will be your servant.People who lift themselves up will be made humble. And people who make themselves humble will be lifted up.“ How terrible it will be for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You pretenders! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter. And you will not let those enter who are trying to.
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Micah 3:11
Your judges take money from people who want special favors. Your priests teach only if they get paid for it. Your prophets won’t tell fortunes unless they receive money. But you still look for the Lord’ s help. You say,“ The Lord is with us. No trouble will come on us.”
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Luke 12:47
“ Suppose a servant knows the master’s wishes. But the servant doesn’t get ready and doesn’t do what the master wants. Then that servant will receive a heavy beating.
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Psalms 50:16-21
But here is what God says to a sinful person.“ What right do you have to speak the words of my laws? How dare you speak the words of my covenant!You hate my teaching. You turn your back on what I say.When you see a thief, you join him. You make friends with those who commit adultery.You use your mouth to speak evil. You use your tongue to spread lies.You are a witness against your brother. You always tell lies about your own mother’s son.When you did these things, I kept silent. So you thought I was just like you. But now I’m going to bring you to court. I will bring charges against you.
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Luke 19:22
“ His master replied,‘ I will judge you by your own words, you evil slave! So you knew that I am a hard man? You knew that I take out what I did not put in? You knew that I harvest what I did not plant?
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Luke 4:23
Jesus said,“ Here is a saying you will certainly apply to me.‘ Doctor, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me this.‘ Do the things here in your hometown that we heard you did in Capernaum.’ ”
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Galatians 6:13
Even those who are circumcised don’t obey the law. But they want you to be circumcised. Then they can brag about what has been done to your body.
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Ezekiel 22:27
The officials in the land are like wolves that tear their food apart. They spill blood and kill people to get rich.
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Isaiah 56:11
They are like dogs that love to eat. They never get enough. They are like shepherds who don’t have any understanding. All of them do as they please. They only look for what they can get for themselves.
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Amos 8:4-6
Listen to me, you who walk all over needy people. You crush those who are poor in the land.You say,“ When will the New Moon feast be over? Then we can sell our grain. When will the Sabbath day come to an end? Then people can buy our wheat.” But you measure out less than the right amount. You raise your prices. You cheat others by using dishonest scales.You buy poor people to make slaves out of them. You buy those who are in need for a mere pair of sandals. You even sell the worthless parts of your wheat.
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Ezekiel 22:12-13
You accept money from people who want special favors. You do this to spill someone’s blood. You charge interest to poor people when you lend them money. You make money from them. You get rich by cheating your neighbors. And you have forgotten me,” announces the Lord and King.“‘ “I will clap my hands because I am so angry. You got rich by cheating others. You spilled blood inside the walls of your city.
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1 Corinthians 9 27
No, I train my body and bring it under control. Then after I have preached to others, I myself will not break the rules. If I did break them, I would fail to win the prize.
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Matthew 21:13
He said to them,“ It is written that the Lord said,‘ My house will be called a house where people can pray.’( Isaiah 56:7) But you are making it‘ a den for robbers.’ ”( Jeremiah 7:11)
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Titus 2:1-7
But what you teach must agree with true teaching.Tell the older men that in anything they do, they must not go too far. They must be worthy of respect. They must control themselves. They must have true faith. They must love others. They must not give up.In the same way, teach the older women to lead a holy life. They must not tell lies about others. They must not let wine control them. Instead, they must teach what is good.Then they can advise the younger women to love their husbands and children.The younger women must control themselves and be pure. They must take good care of their homes. They must be kind. They must follow the lead of their husbands. Then no one will be able to speak evil things against God’s word.In the same way, help the young men to control themselves.Do what is good. Set an example for them in everything. When you teach, be honest and serious.
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Luke 11:46
Jesus replied,“ How terrible for you authorities on the law! You put such heavy loads on people that they can hardly carry them. But you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.