Leavetaking of the Nativity

Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor and some for dishonor. ²¹If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.

²²Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient, ²⁵in gentleness correcting those who oppose him. Perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, ²⁶and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

They sent some of the Pharisees and the Herodians to him, that they might trap him with words. ¹⁴When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

¹⁵Shall we give, or shall we not give?” But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it.”

¹⁶They brought it. He said to them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.”

¹⁷Jesus answered them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They marveled greatly at him.