³² For it is the gentiles who seek all these things, and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

³⁰ For it is the nations^[a] of the world that seek all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.^(A)

The Old Life and the New

¹⁷ Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer walk as the^[a] gentiles walk, in the futility of their minds;^(A)

¹¹ Is there anyone among you who, if your child asked for^[a] a fish, would give a snake instead of a fish? ¹² Or if the child asked for an egg, would give a scorpion? ¹³ If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit^[b] to those who ask him!”

²⁵ But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them.^{(A) 26} It will not be so among you, but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant,^(B)

⁵ not with lustful passion, like the gentiles who do not know God;

⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same?