Matthew 5 #catechesis/bible/matthew
[!abstract] Christ’s sermon upon the mount. The eight beatitudes.
Book: Matthew · ← Matthew 4 · Matthew 6 →
1
GR Ἰδὼν δὲ τοὺς ὄχλους ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὄρος: καὶ καθίσαντος αὐτοῦ προσῆλθαν [αὐτῷ] οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ:
LA Videns autem Jesus turbas, ascendit in montem, et cum sedisset, accesserunt ad eum discipuli ejus,
EN And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him.
^1
2
GR καὶ ἀνοίξας τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ ἐδίδασκεν αὐτοὺς λέγων,
LA et aperiens os suum docebat eos dicens:
EN And opening his mouth he taught them, saying:
^2
3
GR μακάριοι οἱ πτωχοὶ τῷ πνεύματι, ὅτι αὐτῶν ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.
LA Beati pauperes spiritu: quoniam ipsorum est regnum cælorum.
EN Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
^3
[!note]- The poor in spirit…
That is, the humble; and they whose spirit is not set upon riches.
4
GR μακάριοι οἱ πενθοῦντες, ὅτι αὐτοὶ παρακληθήσονται.
LA Beati mites: quoniam ipsi possidebunt terram.
EN Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
^4
5
GR μακάριοι οἱ πραεῖς, ὅτι αὐτοὶ κληρονομήσουσιν. τὴν γῆν
LA Beati qui lugent: quoniam ipsi consolabuntur.
EN Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
^5
6
GR μακάριοι οἱ πεινῶντες καὶ διψῶντες τὴν δικαιοσύνην, ὅτι αὐτοὶ χορτασθήσονται.
LA Beati qui esuriunt et sitiunt justitiam: quoniam ipsi saturabuntur.
EN Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
^6
7
GR μακάριοι οἱ ἐλεήμονες, ὅτι αὐτοὶ ἐλεηθήσονται.
LA Beati misericordes: quoniam ipsi misericordiam consequentur.
EN Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
^7
8
GR μακάριοι οἱ καθαροὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ, ὅτι αὐτοὶ τὸν θεὸν ὄψονται.
LA Beati mundo corde: quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt.
EN Blessed are the clean of heart: they shall see God.
^8
9
GR μακάριοι οἱ εἰρηνοποιοί, ὅτι [αὐτοὶ] υἱοὶ θεοῦ κληθήσονται.
LA Beati pacifici: quoniam filii Dei vocabuntur.
EN Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
^9
10
GR μακάριοι οἱ δεδιωγμένοι ἕνεκεν δικαιοσύνης, ὅτι αὐτῶν ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.
LA Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter justitiam: quoniam ipsorum est regnum cælorum.
EN Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
^10
11
GR μακάριοί ἐστε ὅταν ὀνειδίσωσιν ὑμᾶς καὶ διώξωσιν καὶ εἴπωσιν πᾶν πονηρὸν καθ’ ὑμῶν ψευδόμενοι ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ:
LA Beati estis cum maledixerint vobis, et persecuti vos fuerint, et dixerint omne malum adversum vos mentientes, propter me:
EN Blessed are you when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake:
^11
12
GR χαίρετε καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε, ὅτι ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολὺς ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς: οὕτως γὰρ ἐδίωξαν τοὺς προφήτας τοὺς πρὸ ὑμῶν.
LA gaudete, et exsultate, quoniam merces vestra copiosa est in cælis. Sic enim persecuti sunt prophetas, qui fuerunt ante vos.
EN Be glad and rejoice for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.
^12
13
GR Ὑμεῖς ἐστε τὸ ἅλας τῆς γῆς: ἐὰν δὲ τὸ ἅλας μωρανθῇ, ἐν τίνι ἁλισθήσεται; εἰς οὐδὲν ἰσχύει ἔτι εἰ μὴ βληθὲν ἔξω καταπατεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων.
LA Vos estis sal terræ. Quod si sal evanuerit, in quo salietur? ad nihilum valet ultra, nisi ut mittatur foras, et conculcetur ab hominibus.
EN You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing anymore but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men.
^13
14
GR Ὑμεῖς ἐστε τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου. οὐ δύναται πόλις κρυβῆναι ἐπάνω ὄρους κειμένη:
LA Vos estis lux mundi. Non potest civitas abscondi supra montem posita,
EN You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
^14
15
GR οὐδὲ καίουσιν λύχνον καὶ τιθέασιν αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τὸν μόδιον ἀλλ’ ἐπὶ τὴν λυχνίαν, καὶ λάμπει πᾶσιν τοῖς ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ.
LA neque accendunt lucernam, et ponunt eam sub modio, sed super candelabrum, ut luceat omnibus qui in domo sunt.
EN Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.
^15
16
GR οὕτως λαμψάτω τὸ φῶς ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὅπως ἴδωσιν ὑμῶν τὰ καλὰ ἔργα καὶ δοξάσωσιν τὸν πατέρα ὑμῶν τὸν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.
LA Sic luceat lux vestra coram hominibus: ut videant opera vestra bona, et glorificent Patrem vestrum, qui in cælis est.
EN So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
^16
17
GR Μὴ νομίσητε ὅτι ἦλθον καταλῦσαι τὸν νόμον ἢ τοὺς προφήτας: οὐκ ἦλθον καταλῦσαι ἀλλὰ πληρῶσαι.
LA Nolite putare quoniam veni solvere legem aut prophetas: non veni solvere, sed adimplere.
EN Do not think that I have come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
^17
[!note]- To fulfil…
By accomplishing all the figures and prophecies; and perfecting all that was imperfect.
18
GR ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ, ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κεραία οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου ἕως [ἂν] πάντα γένηται.
LA Amen quippe dico vobis, donec transeat cælum et terra, jota unum aut unus apex non præteribit a lege, donec omnia fiant.
EN For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled.
^18
[!note]- Amen…
That is, assuredly of a truth. This Hebrew word, amen, is here retained by the example and authority of all the four Evangelists. It is used by our Lord as a strong asseveration, and affirmation of the truth.
19
GR ὃς ἐὰν οὖν λύσῃ μίαν τῶν ἐντολῶν τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων καὶ διδάξῃ οὕτως τοὺς ἀνθρώπους, ἐλάχιστος κληθήσεται ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν: ὃς δ’ ἂν ποιήσῃ καὶ διδάξῃ, οὗτος μέγας κληθήσεται ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν.
LA Qui ergo solverit unum de mandatis istis minimis, et docuerit sic homines, minimus vocabitur in regno cælorum: qui autem fecerit et docuerit, hic magnus vocabitur in regno cælorum.
EN He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
^19
20
GR λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ ὑμῶν ἡ δικαιοσύνη πλεῖον τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων, οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν.
LA Dico enim vobis, quia nisi abundaverit justitia vestra plus quam scribarum et pharisæorum, non intrabitis in regnum cælorum.
EN For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
^20
[!note]- The scribes and Pharisees…
The scribes were the doctors of the law of Moses: the Pharisees were a precise set of men, making profession of a more exact observance of the law: and upon that account greatly esteemed among the people.
21
GR Ἠκούσατε ὅτι ἐρρέθη τοῖς ἀρχαίοις, οὐ φονεύσεις: ὃς δ’ ἂν φονεύσῃ, ἔνοχος ἔσται τῇ κρίσει.
LA Audistis quia dictum est antiquis: Non occides: qui autem occiderit, reus erit judicio.
EN You have heard that it was said to them of old: You shall not kill. And whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the judgment.
^21
[!note]- Shall be in danger of the judgment…
That is, shall deserve to be punished by that lesser tribunal among the Jews, called the Judgment, which took cognizance of such crimes.
[!note]- Shall be in danger of the council…
That is, shall deserve to be punished by the highest court of judicature, called the Council, or Sanhedrim, consisting of seventy-two persons, where the highest causes were tried and judged, which was at Jerusalem.
[!note]- Shall be in danger of hell fire…
Literally, according to the Greek, shall deserve to be cast into the Gehenna of fire. Which words our Saviour made use of to express the fire and punishments of hell.
22
GR ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὀργιζόμενος τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ ἔνοχος ἔσται τῇ κρίσει: ὃς δ’ ἂν εἴπῃ τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ, ῥακά, ἔνοχος ἔσται τῷ συνεδρίῳ: ὃς δ’ ἂν εἴπῃ, μωρέ, ἔνοχος ἔσται εἰς τὴν γέενναν τοῦ πυρός.
LA Ego autem dico vobis: quia omnis qui irascitur fratri suo, reus erit judicio. Qui autem dixerit fratri suo, raca: reus erit concilio. Qui autem dixerit, fatue: reus erit gehennæ ignis.
EN But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
^22
[!note]- Raca…
A word expressing great indignation or contempt.
23
GR ἐὰν οὖν προσφέρῃς τὸ δῶρόν σου ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον κἀκεῖ μνησθῇς ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἔχει τι κατὰ σοῦ,
LA Si ergo offers munus tuum ad altare, et ibi recordatus fueris quia frater tuus habet aliquid adversum te:
EN If therefore you offer your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has anything against you;
^23
24
GR ἄφες ἐκεῖ τὸ δῶρόν σου ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου, καὶ ὕπαγε πρῶτον διαλλάγηθι τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου, καὶ τότε ἐλθὼν πρόσφερε τὸ δῶρόν σου.
LA relinque ibi munus tuum ante altare, et vade prius reconciliari fratri tuo: et tunc veniens offeres munus tuum.
EN leave there your offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to your brother, and then coming you shall offer your gift.
^24
25
GR ἴσθι εὐνοῶν τῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σου ταχὺ ἕως ὅτου εἶ μετ’ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, μήποτέ σε παραδῷ ὁ ἀντίδικος τῷ κριτῇ, καὶ ὁ κριτὴς τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ, καὶ εἰς φυλακὴν βληθήσῃ:
LA Esto consentiens adversario tuo cito dum es in via cum eo: ne forte tradat te adversarius judici, et judex tradat te ministro: et in carcerem mittaris.
EN Be at agreement with your adversary betimes, whilst you are in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.
^25
26
GR ἀμὴν λέγω σοι, οὐ μὴ ἐξέλθῃς ἐκεῖθεν ἕως ἂν ἀποδῷς τὸν ἔσχατον κοδράντην.
LA Amen dico tibi, non exies inde, donec reddas novissimum quadrantem.
EN Amen I say to you, you shall not go out from thence till you repay the last farthing.
^26
[!note]- Thou fool…
This was then looked upon as a heinous injury, when uttered with contempt, spite, or malice: and therefore is here so severely condemned.
27
GR Ἠκούσατε ὅτι ἐρρέθη, οὐ μοιχεύσεις.
LA Audistis quia dictum est antiquis: Non mœchaberis.
EN You have heard that it was said to them of old: You shall not commit adultery.
^27
28
GR ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι πᾶς ὁ βλέπων γυναῖκα πρὸς τὸ ἐπιθυμῆσαι [αὐτὴν] ἤδη ἐμοίχευσεν αὐτὴν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ.
LA Ego autem dico vobis: quia omnis qui viderit mulierem ad concupiscendum eam, jam mœchatus est eam in corde suo.
EN But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
^28
29
GR εἰ δὲ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου ὁ δεξιὸς σκανδαλίζει σε, ἔξελε αὐτὸν καὶ βάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ: συμφέρει γάρ σοι ἵνα ἀπόληται ἓν τῶν μελῶν σου καὶ μὴ ὅλον τὸ σῶμά σου βληθῇ εἰς γέενναν.
LA Quod si oculus tuus dexter scandalizat te, erue eum, et projice abs te: expedit enim tibi ut pereat unum membrorum tuorum, quam totum corpus tuum mittatur in gehennam.
EN And if your right eye scandalize you, pluck it out and cast it from you. For it is expedient for you that one of your members should perish, rather than your whole body be cast into hell.
^29
30
GR καὶ εἰ ἡ δεξιά σου χεὶρ σκανδαλίζει σε, ἔκκοψον αὐτὴν καὶ βάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ: συμφέρει γάρ σοι ἵνα ἀπόληται ἓν τῶν μελῶν σου καὶ μὴ ὅλον τὸ σῶμά σου εἰς γέενναν ἀπέλθῃ.
LA Et si dextra manus tua scandalizat te, abscide eam, et projice abs te: expedit enim tibi ut pereat unum membrorum tuorum, quam totum corpus tuum eat in gehennam.
EN And if your right hand scandalize you, cut it off, and cast it from you: for it is expedient for you that one of your members should perish, rather than that your whole body go into hell.
^30
[!note]- Scandalize thee…
That is, if it be a stumbling block, or occasion of sin to thee. By which we are taught to fly the immediate occasions of sin, though they be as dear to us, or as necessary as a hand or an eye.
31
GR Ἐρρέθη δέ, ὃς ἂν ἀπολύσῃ τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ, δότω αὐτῇ ἀποστάσιον.
LA Dictum est autem: Quicumque dimiserit uxorem suam, det ei libellum repudii.
EN And it has been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce.
^31
32
GR ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ἀπολύων τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ παρεκτὸς λόγου πορνείας ποιεῖ αὐτὴν μοιχευθῆναι, [καὶ ὃς ἐὰν ἀπολελυμένην γαμήσῃ μοιχᾶται].
LA Ego autem dico vobis: quia omnis qui dimiserit uxorem suam, excepta fornicationis causa, facit eam mœchari: et qui dimissam duxerit, adulterat.
EN But I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, excepting for the cause of fornication, makes her to commit adultery: and he that shall marry her that is put away, commits adultery.
^32
33
GR Πάλιν ἠκούσατε ὅτι ἐρρέθη τοῖς ἀρχαίοις, οὐκ ἐπιορκήσεις, ἀποδώσεις δὲ τῷ κυρίῳ τοὺς ὅρκους σου.
LA Iterum audistis quia dictum est antiquis: Non perjurabis: reddes autem Domino juramenta tua.
EN Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, you shall not forswear yourself: but you shall perform your oaths to the Lord.
^33
34
GR ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν μὴ ὀμόσαι ὅλως: μήτε ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, ὅτι θρόνος ἐστὶν τοῦ θεοῦ:
LA Ego autem dico vobis, non jurare omnino, neque per cælum, quia thronus Dei est:
EN But I say to you not to swear at all, neither by heaven for it is the throne of God:
^34
35
GR μήτε ἐν τῇ γῇ, ὅτι ὑποπόδιόν ἐστιν τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ: μήτε εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα, ὅτι πόλις ἐστὶν τοῦ μεγάλου βασιλέως:
LA neque per terram, quia scabellum est pedum ejus: neque per Jerosolymam, quia civitas est magni regis:
EN Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king:
^35
36
GR μήτε ἐν τῇ κεφαλῇ σου ὀμόσῃς, ὅτι οὐ δύνασαι μίαν τρίχα λευκὴν ποιῆσαι ἢ μέλαιναν.
LA neque per caput tuum juraveris, quia non potes unum capillum album facere, aut nigrum.
EN Neither shall you swear by your head, because you can not make one hair white or black.
^36
37
GR ἔστω δὲ ὁ λόγος ὑμῶν ναὶ ναί, οὒ οὔ: τὸ δὲ περισσὸν τούτων ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ ἐστιν.
LA Sit autem sermo vester, est, est: non, non: quod autem his abundantius est, a malo est.
EN But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil.
^37
[!note]- Not to swear at all…
It is not forbid to swear in truth, justice and judgment; to the honour of God, or our own or neighbour’s just defence: but only to swear rashly, or profanely, in common discourse, and without necessity.
38
GR Ἠκούσατε ὅτι ἐρρέθη, ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ καὶ ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος.
LA Audistis quia dictum est: Oculum pro oculo, et dentem pro dente.
EN You have heard that it has been said: An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
^38
39
GR ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν μὴ ἀντιστῆναι τῷ πονηρῷ: ἀλλ’ ὅστις σε ῥαπίζει εἰς τὴν δεξιὰν σιαγόνα, σου στρέψον αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν ἄλλην:
LA Ego autem dico vobis, non resistere malo: sed si quis te percusserit in dexteram maxillam tuam, præbe illi et alteram:
EN But I say to you not to resist evil: but if one strike you on your right cheek, turn to him also the other:
^39
40
GR καὶ τῷ θέλοντί σοι κριθῆναι καὶ τὸν χιτῶνά σου λαβεῖν, ἄφες αὐτῷ καὶ τὸ ἱμάτιον:
LA et ei, qui vult tecum judicio contendere, et tunicam tuam tollere, dimitte ei et pallium:
EN And if a man will contend with you in judgment, and take away your coat, let go your cloak also unto him.
^40
41
GR καὶ ὅστις σε ἀγγαρεύσει μίλιον ἕν, ὕπαγε μετ’ αὐτοῦ δύο.
LA et quicumque te angariaverit mille passus, vade cum illo et alia duo.
EN And whosoever will force you one mile, go with him other two.
^41
42
GR τῷ αἰτοῦντί σε δός, καὶ τὸν θέλοντα ἀπὸ σοῦ δανίσασθαι μὴ ἀποστραφῇς.
LA Qui petit a te, da ei: et volenti mutuari a te, ne avertaris.
EN Give to him that asks of you, and from him that would borrow of you turn not away.
^42
[!note]- Not to resist evil, etc…
What is here commanded, is a Christian patience under injuries and affronts, and to be willing even to suffer still more, rather than to indulge the desire of revenge: but what is further added does not strictly oblige according to the letter, for neither did Christ nor St. Paul turn the other cheek. St. John 18, and Acts 23.
43
GR Ἠκούσατε ὅτι ἐρρέθη, ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου καὶ μισήσεις τὸν ἐχθρόν σου.
LA Audistis quia dictum est: Diliges proximum tuum, et odio habebis inimicum tuum.
EN You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbour, and hate your enemy.
^43
44
GR ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν καὶ προσεύχεσθε ὑπὲρ τῶν διωκόντων ὑμᾶς,
LA Ego autem dico vobis: diligite inimicos vestros, benefacite his qui oderunt vos, et orate pro persequentibus et calumniantibus vos:
EN But I say to you, Love your enemies: do good to them that hate you: and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you:
^44
45
GR ὅπως γένησθε υἱοὶ τοῦ πατρὸς ὑμῶν τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς, ὅτι τὸν ἥλιον αὐτοῦ ἀνατέλλει ἐπὶ πονηροὺς καὶ ἀγαθοὺς καὶ βρέχει ἐπὶ δικαίους καὶ ἀδίκους.
LA ut sitis filii Patris vestri, qui in cælis est: qui solem suum oriri facit super bonos et malos: et pluit super justos et injustos.
EN That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who makes his sun to rise upon the good, and bad, and rains upon the just and the unjust.
^45
46
GR ἐὰν γὰρ ἀγαπήσητε τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας ὑμᾶς, τίνα μισθὸν ἔχετε; οὐχὶ καὶ οἱ τελῶναι τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσιν;
LA Si enim diligitis eos qui vos diligunt, quam mercedem habebitis? nonne et publicani hoc faciunt?
EN For if you love them that love you, what reward shall you have? Do not even the publicans this?
^46
47
GR καὶ ἐὰν ἀσπάσησθε τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ὑμῶν μόνον, τί περισσὸν ποιεῖτε; οὐχὶ καὶ οἱ ἐθνικοὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσιν;
LA Et si salutaveritis fratres vestros tantum, quid amplius facitis? nonne et ethnici hoc faciunt?
EN And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more? Do not also the heathens this?
^47
48
GR ἔσεσθε οὖν ὑμεῖς τέλειοι ὡς ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος τέλειός ἐστιν.
LA Estote ergo vos perfecti, sicut et Pater vester cælestis perfectus est.
EN Be therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect.
^48
[!note]- The publicans…
These were the gatherers of the public taxes: a set of men, odious and infamous among the Jews, for their extortions and injustice.
