Matt.6.1
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Matt.6.1
"Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding.
Matt.6.1
"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Matt.6.1
"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Matt.6.1
"Take care! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.
Matt.6.2
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Matt.6.2
"When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure--"playactors' I call them--treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get.
Matt.6.2
"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
Matt.6.2
Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Matt.6.2
When you give a gift to someone in need, don't shout about it as the hypocrites do--blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get.
Matt.6.3
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Matt.6.3
When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks.
Matt.6.3
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Matt.6.3
But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Matt.6.3
But when you give to someone, don't tell your left hand what your right hand is doing.
Matt.6.4
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Matt.6.4
Just do it--quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
Matt.6.4
so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matt.6.4
that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
Matt.6.4
Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.
Matt.6.5
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Matt.6.5
"And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?
Matt.6.5
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
Matt.6.5
"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Matt.6.5
"And now about prayer. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you, that is all the reward they will ever get.
Matt.6.6
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Matt.6.6
"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
Matt.6.6
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matt.6.6
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Matt.6.6
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.
Matt.6.7
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Matt.6.7
"The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God.
Matt.6.7
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
Matt.6.7
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Matt.6.7
"When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again.
Matt.6.8
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Matt.6.8
Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need.
Matt.6.8
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Matt.6.8
"Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
Matt.6.8
Don't be like them, because your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!
Matt.6.9
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Matt.6.9
With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are.
Matt.6.9
"This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
Matt.6.9
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Matt.6.9
Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored.
Matt.6.10
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matt.6.10
Set the world right; Do what's best--as above, so below.
Matt.6.10
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Matt.6.10
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Matt.6.10
May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven.
Matt.6.11
Give us this day our daily bread.
Matt.6.11
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Matt.6.11
Give us today our daily bread.
Matt.6.11
Give us this day our daily bread.
Matt.6.11
Give us our food for today,
Matt.6.12
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matt.6.12
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Matt.6.12
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matt.6.12
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
Matt.6.12
and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.
Matt.6.13
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matt.6.13
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You're in charge! You can do anything you want! You're ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes.
Matt.6.13
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. '
Matt.6.13
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Matt.6.13
And don't let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Matt.6.14
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Matt.6.14
"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others.
Matt.6.14
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matt.6.14
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matt.6.14
"If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
Matt.6.15
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matt.6.15
If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.
Matt.6.15
But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matt.6.15
But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matt.6.15
But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matt.6.16
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Matt.6.16
"When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint.
Matt.6.16
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
Matt.6.16
"Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Matt.6.16
"And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, who try to look pale and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I assure you, that is the only reward they will ever get.
Matt.6.17
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
Matt.6.17
If you "go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face.
Matt.6.17
But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,
Matt.6.17
But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
Matt.6.17
But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.
Matt.6.18
That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Matt.6.18
God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well.
Matt.6.18
so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matt.6.18
so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Matt.6.18
Then no one will suspect you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in secret. And your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.
Matt.6.19
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Matt.6.19
"Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or--worse!-stolen by burglars.
Matt.6.19
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Matt.6.19
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
Matt.6.19
"Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal.
Matt.6.20
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Matt.6.20
Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars.
Matt.6.20
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Matt.6.20
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Matt.6.20
Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves.
Matt.6.21
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matt.6.21
It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
Matt.6.21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matt.6.21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matt.6.21
Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.
Matt.6.22
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Matt.6.22
"Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light.
Matt.6.22
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.
Matt.6.22
"The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.
Matt.6.22
"Your eye is a lamp for your body. A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul.
Matt.6.23
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Matt.6.23
If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!
Matt.6.23
But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Matt.6.23
But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Matt.6.23
But an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness. If the light you think you have is really darkness, how deep that darkness will be!
Matt.6.24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Matt.6.24
"You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.
Matt.6.24
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Matt.6.24
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Matt.6.24
"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Matt.6.25
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Matt.6.25
"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.
Matt.6.25
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
Matt.6.25
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Matt.6.25
"So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing?
Matt.6.26
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Matt.6.26
Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
Matt.6.26
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matt.6.26
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Matt.6.26
Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are.
Matt.6.27
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Matt.6.27
"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch?
Matt.6.27
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Matt.6.27
Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
Matt.6.27
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not.
Matt.6.28
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Matt.6.28
All this time and money wasted on fashion--do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop,
Matt.6.28
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
Matt.6.28
"So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
Matt.6.28
"And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing,
Matt.6.29
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Matt.6.29
but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best--dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
Matt.6.29
Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
Matt.6.29
and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Matt.6.29
yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
Matt.6.30
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Matt.6.30
"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers--most of which are never even seen--don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
Matt.6.30
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Matt.6.30
Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Matt.6.30
And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!
Matt.6.31
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Matt.6.31
What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving.
Matt.6.31
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
Matt.6.31
"Therefore do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?' or "What shall we drink?' or "What shall we wear?'
Matt.6.31
"So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing.
Matt.6.32
For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Matt.6.32
People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.
Matt.6.32
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
Matt.6.32
For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
Matt.6.32
Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs,
Matt.6.33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matt.6.33
Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
Matt.6.33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matt.6.33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matt.6.33
and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
Matt.6.34
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Matt.6.34
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Matt.6.34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matt.6.34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matt.6.34
"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.
