What Jesus Said About Character & Integrity (103 Teachings)

Be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:48

King James Version

Matthew 5:48

⁴⁸Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

The Father sees what is done in secret and rewards sincere devotion.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:4, 6, 18

King James Version

Matthew 6:4, 6, 18

⁴That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
⁶But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
¹⁸That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

The greatest command is to love God with the whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Read the Scripture Matthew 22:37–38; Mark 12:29–30; Luke 10:27

King James Version

Matthew 22:37–38

³⁷Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
³⁸This is the first and great commandment.

Mark 12:29–30

²⁹And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
³⁰And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Luke 10:27

²⁷And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

God knows the heart, even when people justify themselves before others.

Read the Scripture Luke 16:14–15

King James Version

Luke 16:14–15

¹⁴And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
¹⁵And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Judgment should be righteous rather than based on appearances.

Read the Scripture John 7:24

King James Version

John 7:24

²⁴Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Jesus describes himself as gentle and humble in heart.

Read the Scripture Matthew 11:29

King James Version

Matthew 11:29

²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Jesus came to call sinners rather than the self-righteous.

Read the Scripture Matthew 9:13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:32

King James Version

Matthew 9:13

¹³But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Mark 2:17

¹⁷When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 5:32

³²I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Those persecuted for righteousness are blessed because the kingdom is theirs.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:10

King James Version

Matthew 5:10

¹⁰Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Entrance into the kingdom requires righteousness deeper than performative legalism.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:20

King James Version

Matthew 5:20

²⁰For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Merely saying "Lord, Lord" does not secure entrance; doing the Father's will matters.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:21–23

King James Version

Matthew 7:21–23

²¹Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
²²Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
²³And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Those who mourn are blessed because they will be comforted.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:4

King James Version

Matthew 5:4

⁴Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

The meek are blessed because they will inherit the earth.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:5

King James Version

Matthew 5:5

⁵Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed because they will be satisfied.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:6

King James Version

Matthew 5:6

⁶Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

The merciful are blessed because they will receive mercy.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:7

King James Version

Matthew 5:7

⁷Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

The pure in heart are blessed because they will see God.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:8

King James Version

Matthew 5:8

⁸Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Peacemakers are blessed because they will be called sons of God.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:9

King James Version

Matthew 5:9

⁹Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Those persecuted for Jesus should rejoice because their heavenly reward is great.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:11–12; Luke 6:22–23

King James Version

Matthew 5:11–12

¹¹Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
¹²Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Luke 6:22–23

²²Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
²³Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Disciples are salt and must not lose their distinctive usefulness.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:13; Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34–35

King James Version

Matthew 5:13

¹³Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Mark 9:50

⁵⁰Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Luke 14:34–35

³⁴Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?
³⁵It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Disciples are light and should let good works point others to the Father.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:14–16

King James Version

Matthew 5:14–16

¹⁴Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
¹⁵Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Anger and contempt toward a brother are morally serious.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:21–22

King James Version

Matthew 5:21–22

²¹Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
²²But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Reconciliation with an offended brother should be pursued urgently.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:23–24

King James Version

Matthew 5:23–24

²³Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
²⁴Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Settle conflicts before they escalate into judgment.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:25–26; Luke 12:57–59

King James Version

Matthew 5:25–26

²⁵Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
²⁶Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

Luke 12:57–59

⁵⁷Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
⁵⁸When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
⁵⁹I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.

Lustful looking can constitute adultery of the heart.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:27–28

King James Version

Matthew 5:27–28

²⁷Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
²⁸But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Take radical action against sources of sin.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:29–30; 18:8–9; Mark 9:43–48

King James Version

Matthew 5:29–30

²⁹And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
³⁰And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Matthew 18:8–9

⁸Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
⁹And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Mark 9:43–48

⁴³And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
⁴⁴Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
⁴⁵And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
⁴⁶Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
⁴⁷And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
⁴⁸Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Textual note: Mark 9:44 and Mark 9:46 are not found in some of the earliest manuscripts.

Divorce is not a morally neutral escape from marital fidelity.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:31–32; 19:3–9; Mark 10:2–12; Luke 16:18

King James Version

Matthew 5:31–32

³¹It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
³²But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Matthew 19:3–9

³The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
⁴And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
⁵And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
⁶Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
⁷They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
⁸He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
⁹And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

Mark 10:2–12

²And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.
³And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?
⁴And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.
⁵And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.
⁶But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
⁷For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
⁸And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
⁹What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
¹⁰And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.
¹¹And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.
¹²And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Luke 16:18

¹⁸Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

A disciple's "yes" or "no" should be reliable without manipulative oaths.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:33–37

King James Version

Matthew 5:33–37

³³Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
³⁴But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
³⁵Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
³⁶Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
³⁷But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Do not retaliate in personal vengeance.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:38–42; Luke 6:29–30

King James Version

Matthew 5:38–42

³⁸Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
⁴⁰And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
⁴¹And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
⁴²Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Luke 6:29–30

²⁹And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
³⁰Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

Be willing to absorb insult and inconvenience rather than mirror hostility.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:39–41

King James Version

Matthew 5:39–41

³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
⁴⁰And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
⁴¹And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

Give generously beyond the circle of likely repayment.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:42; Luke 6:30, 34–35

King James Version

Matthew 5:42

⁴²Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Luke 6:30, 34–35

³⁰Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
³⁴And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
³⁵But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Love enemies and pray for persecutors.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27–28, 35

King James Version

Matthew 5:44

⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Luke 6:27–28, 35

²⁷But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
²⁸Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
³⁵But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Doing good only to those who do good to you falls short of kingdom love.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:46–47; Luke 6:32–33

King James Version

Matthew 5:46–47

⁴⁶For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
⁴⁷And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

Luke 6:32–33

³²For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
³³And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

Merciful love imitates the Father's character.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:45, 48; Luke 6:35–36

King James Version

Matthew 5:45, 48

⁴⁵That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
⁴⁸Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Luke 6:35–36

³⁵But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
³⁶Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Do not practice righteousness merely to be seen.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:1

King James Version

Matthew 6:1

¹Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Charity should not be performed for applause.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:2–4

King James Version

Matthew 6:2–4

²Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
³But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
⁴That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Prayer should not be performed for public admiration.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:5–6

King James Version

Matthew 6:5–6

⁵And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
⁶But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Religious verbosity does not manipulate God.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:7–8

King James Version

Matthew 6:7–8

⁷But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
⁸Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Fasting should not advertise spirituality.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:16–18

King James Version

Matthew 6:16–18

¹⁶Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
¹⁷But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
¹⁸That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Treasure reveals the location of the heart.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:19–21; Luke 12:33–34

King James Version

Matthew 6:19–21

¹⁹Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
²⁰But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
²¹For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luke 12:33–34

³³Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
³⁴For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

The inner eye can fill life with light or darkness.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:22–23; Luke 11:34–36

King James Version

Matthew 6:22–23

²²The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
²³But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Luke 11:34–36

³⁴The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
³⁵Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
³⁶If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

No one can serve both God and money.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13

King James Version

Matthew 6:24

²⁴No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Luke 16:13

¹³No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Life is more than food and the body more than clothing.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:25; Luke 12:22–23

King James Version

Matthew 6:25

²⁵Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Luke 12:22–23

²²And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
²³The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

Do not be consumed by anxiety about ordinary needs.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:25–34; Luke 12:22–31

King James Version

Matthew 6:25–34

²⁵Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
²⁶Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
²⁷Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
²⁸And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
²⁹And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
³⁰Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
³¹Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
³²(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
³³But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
³⁴Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Luke 12:22–31

²²And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
²³The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
²⁴Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
²⁵And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
²⁶If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
²⁷Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
²⁸If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
²⁹And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
³⁰For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
³¹But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Seek God's kingdom first and trust him for provision.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:33; Luke 12:31

King James Version

Matthew 6:33

³³But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Luke 12:31

³¹But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Do not borrow tomorrow's trouble.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:34

King James Version

Matthew 6:34

³⁴Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Do not judge hypocritically while ignoring your own greater fault.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:1–5; Luke 6:37, 41–42

King James Version

Matthew 7:1–5

¹Judge not, that ye be not judged.
²For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
³And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
⁴Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
⁵Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Luke 6:37, 41–42

³⁷Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
⁴¹And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
⁴²Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.

The measure used against others will be used against you.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:2; Mark 4:24; Luke 6:38

King James Version

Matthew 7:2

²For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Mark 4:24

²⁴And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

Luke 6:38

³⁸Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Discernment is still required; do not give sacred things to those who will only trample them.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:6

King James Version

Matthew 7:6

⁶Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Treat others as you want them to treat you.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31

King James Version

Matthew 7:12

¹²Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Luke 6:31

³¹And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Enter through the narrow gate rather than the broad road to destruction.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:13–14; Luke 13:24

King James Version

Matthew 7:13–14

¹³Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
¹⁴Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Luke 13:24

²⁴Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

False prophets are known by their fruit.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:15–20

King James Version

Matthew 7:15–20

¹⁵Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
¹⁶Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
¹⁷Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
¹⁸A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
¹⁹Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
²⁰Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

A good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bad fruit.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:17–20; 12:33; Luke 6:43–44

King James Version

Matthew 7:17–20

¹⁷Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
¹⁸A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
¹⁹Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
²⁰Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Matthew 12:33

³³Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

Luke 6:43–44

⁴³For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
⁴⁴For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

The mouth speaks from the abundance of the heart.

Read the Scripture Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:45

King James Version

Matthew 12:34

³⁴O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Luke 6:45

⁴⁵A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Good and evil actions flow from what is stored in the heart.

Read the Scripture Matthew 12:35; Luke 6:45

King James Version

Matthew 12:35

³⁵A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Luke 6:45

⁴⁵A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

People will give account for careless words.

Read the Scripture Matthew 12:36–37

King James Version

Matthew 12:36–37

³⁶But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
³⁷For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Defilement comes fundamentally from the heart rather than food entering the body.

Read the Scripture Matthew 15:10–20; Mark 7:14–23

King James Version

Matthew 15:10–20

¹⁰And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
¹¹Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
¹²Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
¹³But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
¹⁴Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
¹⁵Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.
¹⁶And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
¹⁷Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
¹⁸But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
¹⁹For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
²⁰These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Mark 7:14–23

¹⁴And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
¹⁵There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
¹⁶If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
¹⁷And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
¹⁸And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
¹⁹Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
²⁰And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
²¹For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
²²Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
²³All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Textual note: Mark 7:16 is not found in some of the earliest manuscripts.

Evil thoughts, sexual sins, theft, murder, adultery, greed, deceit, envy, slander, pride, and folly arise from within.

Read the Scripture Mark 7:20–23; Matthew 15:19

King James Version

Mark 7:20–23

²⁰And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
²¹For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
²²Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
²³All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Matthew 15:19

¹⁹For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Lip-service worship with a distant heart is vain.

Read the Scripture Matthew 15:7–9; Mark 7:6–7

King James Version

Matthew 15:7–9

⁷Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
⁸This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
⁹But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mark 7:6–7

⁶He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
⁷Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Do not elevate human rules into divine commandments.

Read the Scripture Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7–8

King James Version

Matthew 15:9

⁹But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mark 7:7–8

⁷Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
⁸For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

Beware hypocrisy because hidden things will be exposed.

Read the Scripture Luke 12:1–3

King James Version

Luke 12:1–3

¹In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
²For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
³Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Guard against every form of greed.

Read the Scripture Luke 12:15

King James Version

Luke 12:15

¹⁵And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

A person's life does not consist in possessions.

Read the Scripture Luke 12:15

King James Version

Luke 12:15

¹⁵And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Be rich toward God rather than merely storing earthly wealth.

Read the Scripture Luke 12:16–21

King James Version

Luke 12:16–21

¹⁶And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
¹⁷And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
¹⁸And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
¹⁹And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
²⁰But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
²¹So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Faithfulness in little reveals trustworthiness.

Read the Scripture Luke 16:10

King James Version

Luke 16:10

¹⁰He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Dishonesty in little predicts dishonesty in much.

Read the Scripture Luke 16:10

King James Version

Luke 16:10

¹⁰He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Faithfulness with worldly wealth is connected to fitness for true riches.

Read the Scripture Luke 16:11

King James Version

Luke 16:11

¹¹If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

Avoid causing little ones or vulnerable believers to stumble.

Read the Scripture Matthew 18:6–7; Mark 9:42; Luke 17:1–2

King James Version

Matthew 18:6–7

⁶But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
⁷Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Mark 9:42

⁴²And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Luke 17:1–2

¹Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
²It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Temptations will come, but woe to the person through whom they come.

Read the Scripture Matthew 18:7; Luke 17:1

King James Version

Matthew 18:7

⁷Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Luke 17:1

¹Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

Maintain salt and peace among yourselves.

Read the Scripture Mark 9:49–50

King James Version

Mark 9:49–50

⁴⁹For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
⁵⁰Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Do not despise little ones.

Read the Scripture Matthew 18:10, 14

King James Version

Matthew 18:10, 14

¹⁰Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
¹⁴Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Do not dominate others as Gentile rulers do.

Read the Scripture Matthew 20:25–28; Mark 10:42–45; Luke 22:25–27

King James Version

Matthew 20:25–28

²⁵But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
²⁶But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
²⁷And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
²⁸Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Mark 10:42–45

⁴²But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
⁴³But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
⁴⁴And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
⁴⁵For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Luke 22:25–27

²⁵And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
²⁶But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
²⁷For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

The greatest should become the servant.

Read the Scripture Matthew 20:26–27; 23:11; Mark 10:43–44; Luke 22:26

King James Version

Matthew 20:26–27

²⁶But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
²⁷And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Matthew 23:11

¹¹But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Mark 10:43–44

⁴³But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
⁴⁴And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

Luke 22:26

²⁶But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; 18:14

King James Version

Matthew 23:12

¹²And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Luke 14:11

¹¹For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 18:14

¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Do not seek religious titles as a means of superiority.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:8–10

King James Version

Matthew 23:8–10

⁸But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
⁹And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
¹⁰Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

Beware outward cleanliness hiding inward corruption.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:25–28

King James Version

Matthew 23:25–28

²⁵Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
²⁶Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
²⁷Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
²⁸Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Justice, mercy, and faithfulness are weightier matters.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:23

King James Version

Matthew 23:23

²³Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Do not strain at a gnat and swallow a camel by fussing over small religious details while ignoring weightier duties.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:24

King James Version

Matthew 23:24

²⁴Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Clean the inside first so the outside may become clean.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:26

King James Version

Matthew 23:26

²⁶Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Hearing God's word and keeping it is more blessed than mere biological proximity to Jesus.

Read the Scripture Luke 11:27–28

King James Version

Luke 11:27–28

²⁷And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
²⁸But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Trying to preserve one's life at all costs can result in losing it.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:39; 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; 17:33; John 12:25

King James Version

Matthew 10:39

³⁹He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Matthew 16:25

²⁵For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Mark 8:35

³⁵For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

Luke 9:24

²⁴For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Luke 17:33

³³Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

John 12:25

²⁵He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Losing one's life for Jesus leads to true life.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:39; 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24

King James Version

Matthew 10:39

³⁹He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Matthew 16:25

²⁵For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Mark 8:35

³⁵For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

Luke 9:24

²⁴For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Gaining the whole world is worthless if one forfeits the soul.

Read the Scripture Matthew 16:26; Mark 8:36–37; Luke 9:25

King James Version

Matthew 16:26

²⁶For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Mark 8:36–37

³⁶For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
³⁷Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Luke 9:25

²⁵For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

Do not be ashamed of Jesus and his words.

Read the Scripture Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26

King James Version

Mark 8:38

³⁸Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Luke 9:26

²⁶For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.

Deny yourself, take up the cross, and follow Jesus.

Read the Scripture Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23

King James Version

Matthew 16:24

²⁴Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mark 8:34

³⁴And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Luke 9:23

²³And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Take up the cross daily.

Read the Scripture Luke 9:23

King James Version

Luke 9:23

²³And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

A servant is not greater than his master.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:24–25; John 13:16; 15:20

King James Version

Matthew 10:24–25

²⁴The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
²⁵It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

John 13:16

¹⁶Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

John 15:20

²⁰Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Those who receive Jesus' messengers receive Jesus and the One who sent him.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:40; John 13:20

King James Version

Matthew 10:40

⁴⁰He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

John 13:20

²⁰Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Even a cup of cold water given because someone is a disciple will not lose its reward.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:42; Mark 9:41

King James Version

Matthew 10:42

⁴²And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Mark 9:41

⁴¹For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Pray persistently and do not lose heart.

Read the Scripture Luke 18:1–8

King James Version

Luke 18:1–8

¹And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
²Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
³And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
⁴And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
⁵Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
⁶And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
⁷And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
⁸I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Sexual immorality arises from the heart and defiles.

Read the Scripture Matthew 15:19–20; Mark 7:21–23

King James Version

Matthew 15:19–20

¹⁹For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
²⁰These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Mark 7:21–23

²¹For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
²²Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
²³All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Count the cost of discipleship.

Read the Scripture Luke 14:25–35

King James Version

Luke 14:25–35

²⁵And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
²⁶If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
²⁷And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
²⁸For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
²⁹Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
³⁰Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
³¹Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
³²Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
³³So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
³⁴Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?
³⁵It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Do not let your heart be troubled; trust God and trust Jesus.

Read the Scripture John 14:1, 27

King James Version

John 14:1, 27

¹Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
²⁷Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Do not let fear rule the heart; receive Jesus' peace.

Read the Scripture John 14:27

King James Version

John 14:27

²⁷Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Expect tribulation but take courage because Jesus has overcome the world.

Read the Scripture John 16:33

King James Version

John 16:33

³³These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

God's commands reach the heart and cannot be reduced to external compliance.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:21–48

King James Version

Matthew 5:21–48

²¹Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
²²But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
²³Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
²⁴Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
²⁵Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
²⁶Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
²⁷Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
²⁸But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
²⁹And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
³⁰And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
³¹It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
³²But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
³³Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
³⁴But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
³⁵Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
³⁶Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
³⁷But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
³⁸Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
⁴⁰And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
⁴¹And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
⁴²Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
⁴³Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
⁴⁵That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
⁴⁶For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
⁴⁷And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
⁴⁸Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Human tradition must not invalidate God's command.

Read the Scripture Matthew 15:1–9; Mark 7:1–13

King James Version

Matthew 15:1–9

¹Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
²Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
³But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
⁴For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
⁵But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
⁶And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
⁷Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
⁸This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
⁹But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mark 7:1–13

¹Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
²And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
³For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
⁴And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
⁵Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
⁶He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
⁷Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
⁸For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
⁹And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
¹⁰For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
¹¹But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
¹²And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
¹³Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Scribes and Pharisees may sit in Moses' seat, but their hypocrisy should not be imitated.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:1–3

King James Version

Matthew 23:1–3

¹Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
²Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
³All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

The wise and foolish builders teach that hearing Jesus without obedience is ruinous, while obedience gives stability.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:24–27; Luke 6:46–49

King James Version

Matthew 7:24–27

²⁴Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
²⁵And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
²⁶And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
²⁷And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Luke 6:46–49

⁴⁶And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
⁴⁷Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
⁴⁸He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
⁴⁹But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

The sower teaches that the same word produces different outcomes depending on the hearer's heart and perseverance.

Read the Scripture Matthew 13:3–23; Mark 4:3–20; Luke 8:5–15

King James Version

Matthew 13:3–23

³And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
⁴And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
⁵Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
⁶And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
⁷And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
⁸But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
⁹Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
¹⁰And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
¹¹He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
¹²For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
¹³Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
¹⁴And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
¹⁵For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
¹⁶But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
¹⁷For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
¹⁸Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
¹⁹When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
²⁰But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
²¹Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
²²He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
²³But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Mark 4:3–20

³Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
⁴And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
⁵And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
⁶But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
⁷And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
⁸And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
⁹And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
¹⁰And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
¹¹And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
¹²That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
¹³And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
¹⁴The sower soweth the word.
¹⁵And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
¹⁶And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
¹⁷And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
¹⁸And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
¹⁹And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
²⁰And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Luke 8:5–15

⁵A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
⁶And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
⁷And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
⁸And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
⁹And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
¹⁰And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
¹¹Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
¹²Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
¹³They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
¹⁴And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
¹⁵But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

The older brother warns against self-righteous resentment of grace.

Read the Scripture Luke 15:25–32

King James Version

Luke 15:25–32

²⁵Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
²⁶And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
²⁷And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
²⁸And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
²⁹And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
³⁰But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
³¹And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
³²It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

The Pharisee and tax collector teach humble repentance over self-righteous contempt.

Read the Scripture Luke 18:9–14

King James Version

Luke 18:9–14

⁹And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
¹⁰Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
¹¹The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
¹²I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
¹³And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Do not let dissipation, drunkenness, and life anxieties dull readiness.

Read the Scripture Luke 21:34–36

King James Version

Luke 21:34–36

³⁴And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
³⁵For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
³⁶Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Jesus receives repentant sinners while confronting self-righteousness.

Read the Scripture Matthew 9:10–13; Luke 7:36–50; 15:1–32

King James Version

Matthew 9:10–13

¹⁰And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
¹¹And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
¹²But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
¹³But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 7:36–50

³⁶And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.
³⁷And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
³⁸And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
³⁹Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
⁴⁰And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
⁴¹There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
⁴²And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
⁴³Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
⁴⁴And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
⁴⁵Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
⁴⁶My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
⁴⁷Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
⁴⁸And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
⁴⁹And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
⁵⁰And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Luke 15:1–32

¹Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
²And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
³And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
⁴What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
⁵And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
⁶And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
⁷I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
⁸Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
⁹And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
¹⁰Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
¹¹And he said, A certain man had two sons:
¹²And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
¹³And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
¹⁴And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
¹⁵And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
¹⁶And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
¹⁷And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
¹⁸I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
¹⁹And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
²⁰And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
²¹And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
²²But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
²³And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
²⁴For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
²⁵Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
²⁶And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
²⁷And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
²⁸And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
²⁹And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
³⁰But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
³¹And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
³²It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Jesus values inward integrity above performative religion.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:1–18; 23:25–28

King James Version

Matthew 6:1–18

¹Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
²Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
³But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
⁴That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
⁵And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
⁶But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
⁷But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
⁸Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
⁹After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
¹⁰Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
¹¹Give us this day our daily bread.
¹²And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
¹⁴For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
¹⁵But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
¹⁶Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
¹⁷But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
¹⁸That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 23:25–28

²⁵Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
²⁶Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
²⁷Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
²⁸Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Textual note: The closing words of Matthew 6:13 ("For thine is the kingdom…") are not found in the earliest manuscripts.

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