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16 He whose service is pleasing to the Lord will be accepted,
    and his prayer will reach to the clouds.
17 The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds,
    and he will not be consoled until it reaches the Lord;[a]
he will not desist until the Most High visits him,
    and does justice for the righteous, and executes judgment.

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Footnotes

  1. Sirach 35:17 Or until the Lord draws near
'Sirach 35:16-17' not found for the version: New International Version.

10 Do not be fainthearted in your prayer,
    nor neglect to give alms.

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'Sirach 7:10' not found for the version: New International Version.

14 Do not prattle in the assembly of the elders,
    nor repeat yourself in your prayer.

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'Sirach 7:14' not found for the version: New International Version.

23 Before making a vow,[a] prepare yourself;
    and do not be like a man who tempts the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Sirach 18:23 Or offering a prayer
'Sirach 18:23' not found for the version: New International Version.

Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done,
    and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.
Does a man harbor anger against another,
    and yet seek for healing from the Lord?
Does he have no mercy toward a man like himself,
    and yet pray for his own sins?

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'Sirach 28:2-4' not found for the version: New International Version.

Concerning Prayer

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
    On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread;[a]
12 And forgive us our debts,
    As we also have forgiven our debtors;
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    But deliver us from evil.[b]

14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 6:11 Or our bread for the morrow
  2. Matthew 6:13 Or the evil one. Other authorities, some ancient, add, in some form, For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever. Amen.

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. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,(C) who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling(D) like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.(E) Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need(F) before you ask him.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father(G) in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom(H) come,
your will be done,(I)
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.(J)
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.(K)
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a](L)
    but deliver us from the evil one.[b](M)

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.(N) 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.(O)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 6:13 The Greek for temptation can also mean testing.
  2. Matthew 6:13 Or from evil; some late manuscripts one, / for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.