Mark 12:39

Modern

…and to have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.

Traditional

And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

Literal

…and first seats in the synagogues, and first places at the suppers—

Latin

…et in primis cathedris sedere in synagogis, et primos discubitus in cœnis:

Greek

English

…and to have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.

the scribes: See 1:22. This warning is similar to the one against the Pharisees and Herod in 8:15. The scribes violated the two greatest commandments (12:30–31). They broke the first commandment by not loving God and by seeking respect and praise for themselves instead of reserving it for God.
long robes: These were likely clothes worn by religious men. To receive greetings perhaps meant being called Rabbi (see Matthew 23:7). The chief seats were in the front of the synagogue facing the congregation.

James 2:2–3
Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.