Matthew 6:1-6

Giving to the Poor and Prayer

1 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men ¹to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

2 "So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they ²may be honored by men. ³Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

3 "But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

4 so that your giving will be in secret; and ⁴your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

5 "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to ⁵stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners ⁶so that they may be seen by men. ⁷Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

6 "But you, when you pray, ⁸go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and ⁹your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 6:5, 16; Matthew 23:5
• 2. Matthew 6:5, 16; Matthew 23:5
• 3. Matthew 6:5, 16; Luke 6:24
• 4. Jeremiah 17:10; Matthew 6:6, 18; Hebrews 4:13
• 5. Mark 11:25; Luke 18:11, 13
• 6. Matthew 6:1, 16
• 7. Matthew 6:2, 16; Luke 6:24
• 8. Isaiah 26:20; Matthew 26:36-39; Acts 9:40
• 9. Matthew 6:4, 18

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "give alms"
• [b]. Or "give alms"
• [c]. Or "alms"
• [d]. Lit "to be apparent to men"