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 unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.

19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.

21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

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