Holier Than Thou

Two men went up to the temple to pray, A Pharisee, a publican, each a different way. The hypocrite stood up and prayed out loud In his priestly robe with lofty eyes so proud, "God, thank you that I'm not like any other man, The extortioner, unjust, the adulterer - this publican! I fast twice a week unlike those who transgress And I give tithes of everything that I possess." Then the tax collector standing at a distance Would not lift his eyes in his disdainful existence. He beat upon his breast with his lowly thoughts, inner, While saying, "Oh God, be merciful unto me a sinner." So that man went down to his house justified Rather than the other in his vanity and his pride, Who says, "I am holier than thou so keep away; Stand by yourself, " for he is a fire that burns all day. He shall be downcast for how he has misbehaved; Yet, the contrite is lifted... the humble person is saved. He's exalted in due time and under God's hand is graced, But the haughty is resisted by Him, opposed and abased.