They were hypocritical. They loved the honors of the world, and were ambitious to become exalted through riches. In order to obtain their desire, they improved every opportunity to take advantage of the poor, especially of the widow and fatherless. They exacted heavy sums of money of those who were conscientious, on various pretenses, for the Lord's treasury, and used the means thus dishonestly obtained for their own advantage. They were themselves rigorous to outwardly keep the law. They appeared to show great respect for traditions and customs, in order to obtain money from the people to gratify their corrupt ambition.

De var hyklere. De elskede verdens ære, og var ærgerrige efter at blive ophøjede gennem rigdommene. For at opnå deres ønske, udnyttede de enhver lejlighed til at tage fordel af den fattige, især fra enker og faderløse. De krævede himmelske summer af penge af dem som var samvittighedsfulde, under forskellige påskud, for Herrens skatkammer, og brugte midler de havde fået på uærlig vis til egen vinding. De var selv hårdnakkede at holde loven udad til. De viste at de havde stor respekt for traditioner og skikke, for at få penge fra folk, der tilfredsstillede deres fordærvede ærgerrighed.