But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Then the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness.

"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men -- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.

And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth."

So they watched [Him,] and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor.

"who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."

Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?

"Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

" And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

" Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

"But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead [men's] bones and all uncleanness.

Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?

And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God.

Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent [them] out another way?

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For [the] [Lord does] not [see] as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

"I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these [things;] and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You.

"then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men),

Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known [me.]

You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.

I, the LORD, search the heart, [I] test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.

and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

He said to him the third time, "Simon, [son] of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

(Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.

"So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as [He did] to us,

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.

"I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire; He blesses the greedy [and] renounces the LORD.

This is the way of those who [are] foolish, And of their posterity who approve their sayings. Selah

Though while he lives he blesses himself (For [men] will praise you when you do well for yourself),

Everyone proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD; [Though they join] forces, none will go unpunished.

Hear the word of the LORD, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the law of our God, You people of Gomorrah:

"When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts?

Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing [them.]

" I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies.

Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept [them,] Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings.

So now we call the proud blessed, For those who do wickedness are raised up; They even tempt God and go free.' "

rather [let it be] the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible [beauty] of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to [your] elders. Yes, all of [you] be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."