16 “Woe to you, (A)blind guides, who say, ‘(B)Whoever swears by the [a]temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the [b]temple is obligated.’ 17 You fools and blind men! (C)Which is [c]more important, the gold or the [d]temple that sanctified the gold? 18 And you say, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the [e]offering that is on it is obligated.’ 19 You blind men, (D)which is [f]more important, the [g]offering or the altar that sanctifies the [h]offering? 20 Therefore, the one who swears by the altar, swears both by [i]the altar and by everything on it. 21 And the one who swears by the [j]temple, swears both by [k]the temple and by Him who (E)dwells in it. 22 And the one who swears by [l]heaven, (F)swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 23:16 Or sanctuary
  2. Matthew 23:16 Or sanctuary
  3. Matthew 23:17 Lit greater
  4. Matthew 23:17 Or sanctuary
  5. Matthew 23:18 Or gift
  6. Matthew 23:19 Lit greater
  7. Matthew 23:19 Or gift
  8. Matthew 23:19 Or gift
  9. Matthew 23:20 Lit it
  10. Matthew 23:21 Or sanctuary
  11. Matthew 23:21 Lit it
  12. Matthew 23:22 I.e., an indirect reference to God

16 “Woe to (A)you, (B)blind guides, who say, (C)‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or (D)the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by (E)the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or (F)the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by (G)him who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears by (H)heaven swears by (I)the throne of God and by (J)him who sits upon it.

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