Matthew 23
1 Then Jesus said to the crowd and to us his disciples,
Mgbe ahụ Jisọs gwara igwe mmadụ ahụ niile na ndị na-eso ụzọ ya sị,
2 “Moses was the [renowned] teacher who taught [the people the laws that God gave him] [MTY]. Now, the Pharisees and the men who teach our [Jewish] laws have made themselves the ones who interpret those laws [IDM].
“Ndị ozizi iwu na ndị Farisii na-anọ nʼoche Mosis.
3 Consequently, you should do whatever they tell you that you must do. But do not do what they do, because they themselves do not do what they tell [you that you must do].
Ya mere, meenụ ma na-edebekwanụ ihe niile ha na-agwa unu. Ma unu esokwala omume ha. Nʼihi na ha adịghị eme ihe ha na-ekwusa. Ha na-ekwu otu ihe ma na-eme ihe ọzọ.
4 They [require you to obey many rules that are difficult to obey]. But they themselves [do not help anyone obey those rules. It is] as if they are tying up loads that are hard to carry and putting them on your shoulders [MET] [for you to carry. But they] themselves [do not desire to help anyone obey those laws. They are like] people who do not want to lift [even the slightest load] that they [could lift] [MET]
Ha na-eke ibu dị arọ dịkwa ike obubu bokwasị ndị ọzọ nʼubu, ma ha onwe ha agaghị eweli ọ bụladị otu mkpịsịaka i buli ha.
5 [with] one finger. Whatever they do, they do it to be seen by other people {so that other people will see them doing that}. [For example], they make extra wide the tiny boxes containing portions of Scripture that they wear on their arms. They enlarge the tassels on their robes, [to make others think that they are pious].
“Ihe niile ha na-eme bụ ka ndị mmadụ hụ ha. Ha na-eme ka igbe ntae tinyere iwu ndị dị mkpa e depụtara nke ha na-ekekwasị nʼegedege ihu na nʼaka dị obosara na-emekwa ka ọnụnụ uwe ha buo ibu.
6 [They want people to honor them. For example], at dinner parties they sit in the seats where the most important people sit. In the places of worship [they want to sit] in the seats where the most honored people sit.
Ha hụrụ ịnọ nʼisi oche nʼoge mmemme oriri ọbụla na ịnọkwasị nʼoche kachasị elu nʼụlọ ekpere nʼanya.
7 Also, [they want people to] greet them [respectfully] in the marketplaces and to honor them by calling them ‘Teacher’.
Ọ na-amasị ha mgbe a na-ekele ha ekele pụrụ iche nʼọma ahịa, ndị ọzọ a na-akpọkwa ha, ‘Onye ozizi.’
8 But you [who are my disciples] should not allow people to address you [honorably] as ‘Rabbi’, [which means ‘teacher]’. I [am the] only one who is [really] your teacher, which means that you are all [equal, like] brothers and sisters, [and none of you should act superior to another, as the Pharisees do].
“Unu ekwela ka onye ọbụla kpọọ unu ‘Onye ozizi,’ nʼihi na unu nwere naanị otu Onye ozizi. Unu niile bụkwa ụmụnne. Ọ dịghị onye ka ibe ya ukwuu.
9 Do not [honor anyone] on earth [by] addressing him as ‘Father’, because God, your Father in heaven, is the only [spiritual] father of all of you.
Unu akpọkwala onye ọbụla nʼụwa a ‘Nna,’ nʼihi na unu nwere otu Nna nke bi nʼeluigwe.
10 Do not [allow people to] call you ‘Instructors’, because I, the Messiah, am the one instructor who [teaches all of] you.
Unu ekwela ka a kpọọ unu ndị ndu, nʼihi na ọ bụ naanị otu onyendu ka unu nwere, ya bụ Kraịst.
11 In contrast, everyone among you who wants [God to consider them] to be important must serve others as servants do.
Onye dị ukwuu nʼetiti unu ga-abụ onye na-ejere unu ozi.
12 [God] will humble those who exalt themselves. And [he] will exalt those who humble themselves.”
Nʼihi na onye ọbụla ga-ebuli onwe ya elu ka a ga-eweda nʼala. Ma onye ọbụla wedara onwe ya ala, ka a ga-ebuli elu.”
13 [Then Jesus said to the religious leaders], “You men who teach the [Jewish] laws and you Pharisees are hypocrites! There will be terrible punishment for [you, because by teaching what is false], you [prevent people] [MTY/HYP] [who are thinking about letting] God rule their lives [from doing that] [MET]. [What you are doing is like] closing a gate [MET] [so that people who] are wanting to enter [a city cannot go in]. As for you, [you do not let] God [rule your lives. Neither do you allow] other people [to let God rule their lives. What you do is like] not going into a [house] yourselves, and not allowing others to enter it [either] [MET].”
“Ahụhụ ga-adịrị unu ndị Farisii na ndị ozizi iwu, ndị ihu abụọ! Nʼihi na unu na-emechibido ndị ọzọ ụzọ ha ga-esi bata nʼalaeze eluigwe, ma unu onwe unu adịghị abata. Unu adịghịkwa enye ndị ọzọ ohere ịbata.
“Ahụhụ ga-adịrị unu ndị ozizi iwu na ndị Farisii, ndị ihu abụọ! Nʼihi na unu na-eripịa ụlọ ndị inyom di ha nwụrụ, ọ bụladị mgbe unu na-ekpe ogologo ekpere ka mmadụ hụ unu. Unu ga-anata ikpe ọmụma dị ukwuu.
15 “You are hypocrites, you men who teach the [Jewish] laws and you Pharisees! Your punishment will be terrible, because you exert yourselves very much to get [even] one person to believe what you teach. For instance, you travel across seas and lands [to distant places] in order to do that. And [as a result], when one person [believes what you teach], you make that person much more deserving to go to hell than you yourselves [deserve to].” (Geenna g1067)
“Ahụhụ ga-adakwasị unu ndị ozizi iwu na ndị Farisii, ndị ihu abụọ! Nʼihi na unu na-agafe oke osimiri na mba dị iche iche, ime ka otu onye chegharịa, bụrụ onye na-eso ụzọ unu. Ma mgbe unu mesịrị nke a, unu na-alaghachi mee ya okpukpu abụọ ka ọ bụrụ nwa ọkụ ala mmụọ karịa onwe unu. (Geenna g1067)
16 “You [Jewish leaders], your punishment will be terrible! You are [like people who are] blind [MET] who are trying to lead others. You say, ‘[In the case of] those who promise to [do] something and then ask the Temple [to affirm what they have promised], it means nothing [if they do not do what] they have promised. But if they ask the gold that is in the Temple [to affirm what they have promised], they must do what they promised.’
“Ahụhụ ga-adịrị unu ndị ndu kpuru ìsì! Nʼihi na unu na-asị, Onye ọbụla jiri ụlọnsọ ṅụọ iyi, iyi ọ ṅụrụ bụ ihe efu. Ma onye ọbụla jiri ọlaedo dị nʼime ụlọnsọ ṅụọ iyi kwesiri imezu iyi ahụ ọ ṅụrụ.
17 You are fools, and you are [like people who are] blind [MET]! The gold [that is in the Temple] is important, but [the Temple] is even more important [RHQ], because it is the Temple that the gold is in that sets the gold apart for a special use for God.
Ndị nzuzu kpuru ìsì! Olee nke karịrị ukwuu? Ọ bụ ọlaedo ahụ, ka ọ bụ ụlọnsọ nke doro ọlaedo ahụ nsọ?
18 Also [you say], ‘In the case of those who promise to [do] something and then ask [the altar to affirm what they have promised], it means nothing [if they do not do what they have promised]. But if they ask the gift [that] they have put on the altar [to support what they have promised], they must do [what they promised].’
Unu na-ezikwa ndị mmadụ sị, ‘Ọ bụrụ na mmadụ ejiri ebe ịchụ aja ṅụọ iyi, iyi ahụ ọ ṅụrụ bụ ihe efu. Ma onye ọbụla ga-eji onyinye dị nʼelu ebe ịchụ aja ṅụọ iyi ga-emezu iyi ahụ ọ ṅụrụ.’
19 [You are like people who are] blind [MET]. The gift [that is offered] on the altar is important, but the altar is even more important [RHQ] because it is the altar on which the offering is offered that sets it apart for a special use for God.
Leenụ ka unu si bụrụ ndị ìsì! Olee nke karịrị ukwuu? Ọ bụ onyinye dị nʼelu ebe ịchụ aja ka ọ bụ ebe ịchụ aja na-edo onyinye ahụ nsọ?
20 So, those who promise to do something, and then ask the altar [to affirm what they have promised] are asking everything on the altar [to support what they promised].
Ya mere, mgbe onye ọbụla ji ebe ịchụ aja ṅụọ iyi, ọ bụ ebe ịchụ aja ahụ na onyinye dị nʼelu ya ka o ji ṅụọ iyi ahụ.
21 Those who promise to do something, and then ask the Temple [to affirm what they promised], are asking that [God], to whom the Temple belongs, [will affirm what they have promised].
Otu a kwa, onye ji ụlọnsọ ahụ ṅụọ iyi jikwa ụlọnsọ ahụ na onye bi nʼime ya na-aṅụ iyi.
22 Those who promise to do something and then ask heaven [to affirm what they promised] are asking the throne of God and [God], who sits on that throne, [to affirm what they promised].”
Mgbe mmadụ jikwa eluigwe ṅụọ iyi, ọ bụ ocheeze Chineke na onye nọdụrụ nʼelu ocheeze ahụ ka o ji ṅụọ iyi.
23 “You men who teach the [Jewish] laws and you Pharisees, your punishment will be terrible! You are hypocrites because, [even though] you give [to God] a tenth of [the herbs you produce, such as] mint, dill, and cummin, you do not [obey God’s] laws that are more important. [For example, you do not act] justly toward others, you do not act mercifully toward people, and you are not trustworthy. It is good to [give a tenth of your herbs] to God, but you should also [obey] these other [more important laws].
“E, ahụhụ ga-adakwasị unu ndị Farisii na ndị ozizi iwu. Ndị ihu abụọ! Nʼihi na unu na-asa anya unu mmiri nye, ọ bụladị onyinye otu ụzọ nʼime ụzọ iri unu ruo nʼakwụkwọ nri dịkarịsịrị nta dị nʼubi unu, dịka mint, diil na kumin, ma unu akpọghị ikpe ziri ezi na ebere, na okwukwe ihe dị mkpa. Ihe ndị a ka unu kwesiri ibu ụzọ mee ma gharakwa ileghara iwu ndị ọzọ anya.
24 You [leaders are like] blind people [who are trying to lead others. According to your laws you say that touching gnats and camels makes you unacceptable to God. What you are doing is like] straining a gnat [out of a jar of water so that you do not swallow it and thereby become unacceptable to God], and [at the same time] swallowing a camel [with the water] [MET]!”
Ndị ndu kpuru ìsì! Unu na-azapụ ijiji site na mmanya unu na-aṅụ, ma unu na-eloda ịnyịnya kamel.
25 “You men who teach people the [Jewish] laws and you Pharisees, your punishment will be terrible! You are hypocrites! You are greedy and selfish, but you [make yourselves appear holy. You are like] cups and plates that have been cleaned on the outside, but on the inside [they are very filthy].
“Ahụhụ ga-adakwasị unu, ndị Farisii na ndị ozizi iwu, ndị ihu abụọ! Nʼihi na unu na-elezi anya nke ọma mee ka azụ iko mmiri unu, na azụ efere unu dị ọcha, ma ime ha jupụtara na ịpụnarị mmadụ ihe nʼike na ọchịchọ ọjọọ niile.
26 You blind Pharisees! First you must [stop being greedy and selfish]. [Then you will be able to do what] is [righteous. That will be like] cleaning the inside of a cup first. Then when you clean [MET] the outside [of the cup], [the cup will truly be clean].”
Gị onye Farisii kpuru ìsì! Buru ụzọ mee ka ime iko dị ọcha, mgbe ahụ azụ ya ga-adịkwa ọcha.
27 “You men who teach the [Jewish] laws and you Pharisees, your punishment will be terrible! You are hypocrites! You are like tombs [SIM] that are painted white [so that people can see them and avoid touching them]. The outside surfaces are beautiful, but inside they are full of dead people’s bones and filth.
“Ahụhụ ga-adịrị unu ndị Farisii na ndị ozizi iwu, ndị ihu abụọ! Nʼihi na unu yiri ili e tere nzu, nke na-egosi onwe ya dị ka ihe mara mma, ma ime ya jupụtara nʼọkpụkpụ ndị nwụrụ anwụ, na ihe niile na-adịghị ọcha.
28 You are [like those tombs]. When people look at you, they think that you are righteous, but in your (inner beings/hearts) you are hypocrites and you disobey [God’s] commands.”
Nʼụzọ dị otu a, unu na-egosi onwe unu dị ka ndị ezi omume, ma nʼime unu, unu jupụtara nʼihu abụọ na ndị ajọ omume.
29 “You men who teach the [Jewish] laws and you Pharisees are hypocrites! Your punishment will be terrible! You rebuild the tombs of the [prophets whom others killed long ago]. You decorate the monuments [that honor] righteous [people].
“E, ahụhụ ga-adịrị unu ndị Farisii na ndị ozizi iwu, ndị ihu abụọ! Nʼihi na unu na-ewu ili ndị amụma na-ewerekwa ihe ịchọ mma na-edozi nkume ncheta ndị ezi omume.
30 You say, ‘If we had [lived] when our ancestors [MET] [lived], we would not have helped [MET] those who killed [MTY] the prophets.’
Unu na-asịkwa, ọ bụrụ na anyị nọ nʼoge nna anyị ha, anyị agaraghị eso ha wufuo ọbara ndị amụma.
31 Thus [you recognize that you should honor the prophets, but you disregard the word of God that other men whom God has sent teach you. In that way] you testify against yourselves that you are descendants and disciples [MET] of those who killed the prophets.
Site nʼụzọ dị otu a, unu na-agba akaebe megide onwe unu na unu bụ ụmụ ndị gburu ndị amụma.
32 You are as ready to murder people as [MET] your ancestors were!
Gaanụ sorokwa nzọ ụkwụ nna unu ha, ka unu rụzuo ọrụ ahụ ha malitere.
33 [You people are so wicked] You are [as dangerous as poisonous] snakes [DOU, MET]! (You [foolishly] think that you will escape being punished in hell!/Do you [foolishly] think that you will escape when [God] punishes [wicked people] in hell?) [RHQ] (Geenna g1067)
“Ụmụ agwọ! Ụmụ ajụala! Unu si aṅaa chee na unu ga-agbanarị ikpe nke ịba nʼọkụ ala mmụọ? (Geenna g1067)
34 Take note that this is why I will send prophets, wise men, and other men who will teach you [my message]. You will kill some of them by nailing them to crosses, and you will kill some in other ways. You will whip some of them in the places where you worship, and [you will] chase them from city to city.
Ya mere, aga m ezitere unu ndị amụma, ndị amamihe na ndị nkuzi. Ụfọdụ nʼime ha ka unu ga-egbu, ụfọdụ ka unu ga-akpọgide nʼobe, ndị ọzọkwa ka unu ga-apịa ihe nʼụlọ nzukọ unu. Unu ga-achụkwa ha ọsọ site nʼotu obodo gaa nʼobodo ọzọ.
35 As a result, God will consider that you are guilty for killing [SYN] all the righteous [people], including killing [MTY] [Adam’s son] Abel, who was a righteous man [SYN], and Zechariah, the son of Barachiah, whom you [are guilty of] killing [in the holy place] between the Temple and the altar, and for killing [all the prophets] who lived between [the times that those two men lived].
Ka ọgbọ a bụrụ ndị ikpe mara nʼihi ọbara nke ndị ezi omume niile e gburu nʼụwa, site nʼọbara Ebel ruo na nke Zekaraya nwa Berekaya, onye unu gburu nʼetiti ụlọnsọ nʼebe ịchụ aja unu.
36 Think about this: You people who have observed my ministry, it is you whom [God] will punish [for killing all] those [prophets]!”
Nʼezie agwa m unu, ihe ndị a niile, ga-abịakwasị ọgbọ a.
37 “O [people of] Jerusalem [MTY, APO], you killed the prophets [who lived long ago], and you killed others whom [God] sent to you. You killed them by throwing stones at them [DOU]! Many times I wanted to gather you together [to protect you], like a hen gathers her young chicks under her wings [MET]. But you did not want [me to do that].
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Gị obodo na-egbu ndị amụma, na nke na-atụ ndị niile e ziteere gị nkume. Ugboro ole ka m chọrọ ịchịkọta ụmụ gị dị ka nne ọkụkụ si achịkọta ụmụ ya nʼokpuru nku ya ichebe ha? Ma ị chọghị ka m mee otu a!
38 So listen to this: Your city [SYN] will [soon] become an uninhabited place.
Lee, a hapụrụla unu ụlọ unu ka ọ tọgbọrọ nʼefu.
39 Keep this in mind: You will see me again only when I [return], and you say [about me], ‘[God] is truly pleased with this man who comes with God’s authority [MTY].’”
Nʼihi na asị m unu, unu agaghị ahụ m anya ọzọ tutu ruo mgbe unu ga-asị, Onye a gọziri agọzi ka onye ahụ bụ nke na-abịa nʼaha Onyenwe anyị.”
