²⁵ Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ²⁶ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,^{(A) 27} and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man^(B) did not come to be served, but to serve,^(C) and to give his life as a ransom^(D) for many.”

⁵ “Everything they do is done for people to see:^(A) They make their phylacteries^[a](B) wide and the tassels on their garments^(C) long; ⁶ they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;^{(D) 7} they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.^(E)

⁸ “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. ⁹ And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father,^(F) and he is in heaven. ¹⁰ Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. ¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant.^{(G) 12} For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.^(H)

¹⁸ And he is the head^(A) of the body, the church;^(B) he is the beginning and the firstborn^(C) from among the dead,^(D) so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

² Be shepherds of God’s flock^(A) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;^(B) not pursuing dishonest gain,^(C) but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over^(D) those entrusted to you, but being examples^(E) to the flock.

⁹ Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ^(A) does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.^(B)