²⁰ For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

³ He answered them, “Why do you break God’s commandment because of your tradition? ⁴ For God said:^[a] Honor your father and your mother;^[b](A) and, Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death.^{[c](B) 5} But you say, ‘Whoever tells his father or mother, “Whatever benefit you might have received from me is a gift committed to the temple,” ⁶ he does not have to honor his father.’^[d] In this way, you have nullified the word of God^[e] because of your tradition. ⁷ Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said:

Jewish Violation of the Law

¹⁷ Now if^[a] you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law,^(A) and boast in God, ¹⁸ and know his will, and approve the things that are superior,^(B) being instructed from the law, ¹⁹ and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and truth^(C) in the law— ²¹ you then, who teach another,^(D) don’t you teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal”—do you steal? ²² You who say, “You must not commit adultery”—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples?^{(E) 23} You who boast in the law,^(F) do you dishonor God by breaking the law?^[b]