Mark 7:3-18

3(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they 1carefully wash their hands, thus observing the 2traditions of the elders; 4and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they 3cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the 4washing of 5cups and pitchers and copper pots.) 5The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the 6tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with 7impure hands?” 6And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘8This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.79But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ 8Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the 10tradition of men.”

9He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your 11tradition. 10For Moses said, ‘12Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘13He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to 14be put to death’; 11but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is 15Corban (that is to say, 16given to God),’ 12you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; 13thus invalidating the word of God by your 17tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

14After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: 15there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. 16[18If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”]

17When He had left the crowd and entered 19the house, 20His disciples questioned Him about the parable. 18And He said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him,