Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

²⁰ Now then, we are messengers in the place of Christ, even as though God did beseech you through us. So we entreat you in Christ’s stead to be at one with God. ²¹ For he has made him who knew no sin to be a sin offering for us, so that we, by means of him, should be that righteousness which is accepted before God.

An exhortation to receive the word of God with thankfulness and amendment of life. The diligence of Paul in the gospel, and how he warns them to avoid the company of the heathen.

6 We as helpers therefore exhort you, do not receive the grace of God in vain. ² For he says: I have heard you in a favoured time, and in the day of salvation I have succoured you. Behold, now is that well-favoured time; behold, now is that day of salvation. ³ Let us give no one occasion for evil, so that in our service no fault may be found, ⁴ but in all things let us behave ourselves as the ministers of God in much patience – in afflictions, in hardship, in anguish, ⁵ in stripes, in prison, in strife, in labour, in sleeplessness, in hunger; ⁶ in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned, ⁷ in the words of truth; in the power of God, with the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left; ⁸ in honour and dishonour, in evil report and good report, as deceivers and yet true, ⁹ as unknown and yet known. As dying, and behold, we live yet; as chastened, and not killed; ¹⁰ as sorrowing, and yet always merry; as poor, and yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Of alms, prayer, and fasting. Jesus forbids the care of seeking the things of this life.

6 Take heed to your alms, that you do not give in the sight of men with the intent to be seen by them, or you will receive no reward from your Father who is in heaven. ² Whenever therefore you give your alms, do not make a trumpet to be blown before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets in order to be praised by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. ³ But when you give, let not your left hand know what your right hand does, ⁴ so that your giving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

⁵ And when you pray, do not be as the hypocrites are. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, because they want to be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But when you pray, enter into your chamber and shut the door to, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

¹⁶ Moreover, when you fast, do not be sad like the hypocrites are. For they disfigure their faces so they may be seen by men, how they fast. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. ¹⁷ But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that it does not appear to men that you are fasting, but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

¹⁹ See that you do not gather for yourselves treasure upon the earth, where rust and moths destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But gather treasures together in heaven, where neither rust nor moths destroy, and where thieves do not break in or steal. ²¹ For wherever your treasure is, there will your hearts be also.