You despise the fathers because they persecuted the prophets; while you yourselves kill the prophets whom the Lord sends to-day, or else suffer them to be contemned.

And when they are dead you build them fine tombs.

Cursed be ye, ye hypocrites! You forbid others to be the heralds of salvation; you even stone them.

You will not go yourselves into the Kingdom of Heaven, and you keep out those who wish to go in.

Cursed be ye, ye, with your semblance of holiness, who take to yourselves the houses of widows and the property of orphans under the pretence of love! Ye fools and blind guides who lead the people to petty, unimportant things, to outward observances and customs, instead of to the important things--to justice, to mercy, and to love! That is as wise as to strain out the gnat and swallow the camel.