Matthew 23:18
Matthew 23:18 New Century Version (NCV)
And you say, ‘If people swear by the altar when they make a promise, that means nothing. But if they swear by the gift on the altar, they must keep that promise.’
Matthew 23:16-22 The Message (MSG)
“You’re hopeless! What arrogant stupidity! You say, ‘If someone makes a promise with his fingers crossed, that’s nothing; but if he swears with his hand on the Bible, that’s serious.’ What ignorance! Does the leather on the Bible carry more weight than the skin on your hands? And what about this piece of trivia: ‘If you shake hands on a promise, that’s nothing; but if you raise your hand that God is your witness, that’s serious’? What ridiculous hairsplitting! What difference does it make whether you shake hands or raise hands? A promise is a promise. What difference does it make if you make your promise inside or outside a house of worship? A promise is a promise. God is present, watching and holding you to account regardless.
Matthew 23:18 King James Version (KJV)
And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
Matthew 23:18 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, that is nothing, but whoever swears by the offering on it, he is obligated.’
Matthew 23:18 American Standard Version (ASV)
And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon it, he is a debtor.
Matthew 23:18 New International Version (NIV)
You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’
Matthew 23:18 New King James Version (NKJV)
And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’
Matthew 23:18 Amplified Bible (AMP)
And [you scribes and Pharisees say], ‘Whoever swears [an oath]by the altar, that is nothing (non-binding), but whoever swears [an oath]by the offering on it, he is obligated [as a debtor to fulfill his vow and keep his promise].’
Matthew 23:18 New Living Translation (NLT)
And you say that to swear ‘by the altar’ is not binding, but to swear ‘by the gifts on the altar’ is binding.