Matthew 6:7-15
The Voice
7 And when you pray, do not go on and on, excessively and strangely like the outsiders; they think their verbosity will let them be heard by their deities. 8 Do not be like them. Your prayers need not be labored or lengthy or grandiose—for your Father knows what you need before you ever ask Him.
9 Your prayers, rather, should be simple, like this:
Our Father in heaven,
let Your name remain holy.
10 Bring about Your kingdom.
Manifest Your will here on earth,
as it is manifest in heaven.
11 Give us each day that day’s bread—no more, no less—
12 And forgive us our debts
as we forgive those who owe us something.
13 Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
[But let Your kingdom be,
and let it be powerful
and glorious forever. Amen.][a]
Jesus says to declare forgiveness of those who have wronged us. This is because forgiveness of other people emulates God’s forgiveness of us.
14 If you forgive people when they sin against you, then your Father will forgive you when you sin against Him and when you sin against your neighbor. 15 But if you do not forgive your neighbors’ sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Footnotes
- 6:13 Some early manuscripts omit this portion.
Matthew 6:7-15
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
7 “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.(A) 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “Pray, then, in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be revered as holy.
10 May your kingdom come.
May your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.(B)
11 Give us today our daily bread.[a](C)
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.(D)
13 And do not bring us to the time of trial,[b]
but rescue us from the evil one.[c](E)
14 “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,(F) 15 but if you do not forgive others,[d] neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.(G)
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New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.