As he taught, he said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in long robes, to be greeted with respect in the marketplace,
“Woe to you Pharisees! You love the most important seats in the synagogues, and you love having people greet you with respect in the marketplace.
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that other people will see them. Truly I tell you, that’s all the reward they’ll get.
He taught them many things by telling them stories. In his teaching he said,
Be careful who you trust! You’ll be turned over to the local courts and whipped in the synagogues.
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the first in everything, wouldn’t acknowledge me.
and to have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.