Therefore, (A)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.

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“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 others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

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The Model Prayer(A)

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the [a]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.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 6:5 pretenders

Prayer(A)

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing(B) in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

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The Cheerful Giver

(A)But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows [a]bountifully will also reap [b]bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, (B)not grudgingly or of [c]necessity; for (C)God loves a cheerful giver. (D)And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written:

(E)“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”

10 Now [d]may He who (F)supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, [e]supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your (G)righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, (H)which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only (I)supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they (J)glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal (K)sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding (L)grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God (M)for His indescribable gift!

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 9:6 with blessings
  2. 2 Corinthians 9:6 with blessings
  3. 2 Corinthians 9:7 compulsion
  4. 2 Corinthians 9:10 NU omits may
  5. 2 Corinthians 9:10 NU will supply

Generosity Encouraged

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.(A) Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,(B) not reluctantly or under compulsion,(C) for God loves a cheerful giver.(D) And God is able(E) to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,(F) you will abound in every good work. As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts(G) to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”[a](H)

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food(I) will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.(J) 11 You will be enriched(K) in every way so that you can be generous(L) on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.(M)

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs(N) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.(O) 13 Because of the service(P) by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God(Q) for the obedience that accompanies your confession(R) of the gospel of Christ,(S) and for your generosity(T) in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God(U) for his indescribable gift!(V)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 9:9 Psalm 112:9

Fasting to Be Seen Only by God

16 “Moreover, (A)when you fast, do not be like the [a]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.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 6:16 pretenders

Fasting

16 “When you fast,(A) do not look somber(B) as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

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17 But (A)whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

18 My little children, (B)let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we [a]know (C)that we are of the truth, and shall [b]assure our hearts before Him.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 3:19 NU shall know
  2. 1 John 3:19 persuade, set at rest

17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them,(A) how can the love of God be in that person?(B) 18 Dear children,(C) let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.(D)

19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence:

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15 (A)If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and (B)one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

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15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.(A) 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?(B)

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41 (A)“I do not receive honor from men.

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41 “I do not accept glory from human beings,(A)

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21 The wicked borrows and does not repay,
But (A)the righteous shows mercy and gives.

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21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
    but the righteous give generously;(A)

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11 (A)If anyone speaks, let him speak as the [a]oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that (B)in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the [b]dominion forever and ever. Amen.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 4:11 utterances
  2. 1 Peter 4:11 sovereignty

11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.(A) If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,(B) so that in all things God may be praised(C) through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.(D)

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16 (A)But do not forget to do good and to share, for (B)with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

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16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others,(A) for with such sacrifices(B) God is pleased.

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28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather (A)let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something (B)to give him who has need.

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28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,(A) doing something useful with their own hands,(B) that they may have something to share with those in need.(C)

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Dorcas Restored to Life

36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named [a]Tabitha, which is translated [b]Dorcas. This woman was full (A)of good works and charitable deeds which she did.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:36 Lit., in Aram., Gazelle
  2. Acts 9:36 Lit., in Gr., Gazelle

36 In Joppa(A) there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good(B) and helping the poor.

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46 (A)“Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, (B)love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,

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46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.(A)

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