XVIII. Precepts

The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth (the Jefferson Bible), by Thomas Jefferson, [1902], at sacred-texts.com

XVIII.

Precepts.

AND as he spake a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.

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2 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.

3 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

4 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

5 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

6 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

7 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

8 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.

9 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.

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10 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

11 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

12 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:

13 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.