²³ And it came to pass, that he was going on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears.

¹ At that season Jesus went on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples were hungry and began to pluck ears and to eat.

² But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which it is not lawful to do upon the sabbath.

³ But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him;

⁴ how he entered into the house of God, and ate the showbread, which it was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them that were with him, but only for the priests?

⁵ Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless?

⁶ But I say unto you, that one greater than the temple is here.

⁷ But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

⁸ For the Son of man is lord of the sabbath.

¹ Now it came to pass on a sabbath, that he was going through the grainfields; and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

² But certain of the Pharisees said, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath day?

³ And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read even this, what David did, when he was hungry, he, and they that were with him;

⁴ how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the showbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests alone?

⁵ And he said unto them, The Son of man is lord of the sabbath.

²⁴ When thou comest into thy neighbor's vineyard, then thou mayest eat of grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel.

²⁵ When thou comest into thy neighbor's standing grain, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thy hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbor's standing grain.