Matthew 5:48-6:8

English Standard Version

^48 (A)You therefore must be ^(B)perfect, ^(C)as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Giving to the Needy

6 “Beware of ^(D)practicing your righteousness before other people in order ^(E)to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

^2 (F)“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may ^(G)be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have ^(H)received their reward. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. ^(I)And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

The Lord's Prayer

⁵ “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love ^(J)to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. ^(K)Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ⁶ But when you pray, ^(L)go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. ^(M)And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

⁷ “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as ^(N)the Gentiles do, for ^(O)they think that they will be heard ^(P)for their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, ^(Q)for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.