Matthew 6

Giving to the Needy

1 "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 "Therefore, a when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 "that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret b will Himself reward you 1 openly.

The Lord's Prayer

5 "And when you pray, you shall not be like the 2 hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 "But you, when you pray, c go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you 3 openly.

7 "And when you pray, d do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. e For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father f knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

9 "In this g manner, therefore, pray:
h Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your i name.
10 Your kingdom come.
j Your will be done
On earth k as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our l daily bread. 12 And m forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 n And do not lead us into temptation,
But o deliver us from the evil one.
4 For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

14 p "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 "But q if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Fasting

16 "Moreover, r when you fast, do not be like the 5 hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 "But you, when you fast, s anoint your head and wash your face, 18 "so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you 6 openly.

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

19 t "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 u "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 v "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is 7 good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 "But if your eye is 8 bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 w "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. x You cannot serve God and 9 mammon.

Do Not Be Anxious

25 "Therefore I say to you, y do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 z "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 "Which of you by worrying can add one 10 cubit to his 11 stature? 28 "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 "and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not 12 arrayed like one of these. 30 "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 "But a seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

  1. Cross References
    Romans 12:8
    He who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
  2. Cross References
    Luke 14:12 - 14
    Then He also said to him who invited Him, "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid.
  3. Cross References
    2 Kings 4:33
    He went in therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD.
  4. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 5:2
    Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.
  5. Cross References
    1 Kings 18:26
    So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, "O Baal, hear us!" But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they leaped about the altar which they had made.
  6. Cross References
    Romans 8:26
    Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
    Romans 8:27
    Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 6:9 - 13
    In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
    Luke 11:2 - 4
    So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
    John 16:24
    Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
    Ephesians 6:18
    Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints -
  8. Cross References
    Matthew 5:9
    Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
    Matthew 5:16
    Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
  9. Cross References
    Malachi 1:11
    For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations," Says the LORD of hosts.
  10. Cross References
    Matthew 26:42
    Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.
    Luke 22:42
    Saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.
    Acts 21:14
    So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The will of the Lord be done.
  11. Cross References
    Psalms 103:20
    Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.
  12. Cross References
    Job 23:12
    I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.
    Proverbs 30:8
    Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches - Feed me with the food allotted to me.
    Isaiah 33:16
    He will dwell on high; His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; Bread will be given him, His water will be sure.
    Luke 11:3
    Give us day by day our daily bread.
  13. Cross References
    Matthew 18:21
    Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?
    Matthew 18:22
    Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
  14. Cross References
    Matthew 26:41
    "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
    1 Corinthians 10:31
    Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
    2 Peter 2:9
    Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.
    Revelation 3:10
    Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
  15. Cross References
    John 17:15
    I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
    2 Thessalonians 3:3
    But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
    2 Timothy 4:18
    And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
    1 John 5:18
    We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.
  16. Cross References
    Matthew 7:2
    For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
    Mark 11:25
    And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
    Ephesians 4:32
    And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
    Colossians 3:13
    Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
  17. Cross References
    Matthew 18:35
    "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."
    James 2:13
    For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
  18. Cross References
    Isaiah 58:3 - 7
    Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?' "In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers.
    Luke 18:12
    'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'
  19. Cross References
    Ruth 3:3
    Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.
    2 Samuel 12:20
    So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate.
    Daniel 10:3
    I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
  20. Cross References
    Proverbs 23:4
    Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease!
    1 Timothy 6:17
    Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
    Hebrews 13:5
    Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you.
    James 5:1
    Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!
  21. Cross References
    Matthew 19:21
    Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.
    Luke 12:33
    Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.
    Luke 18:22
    So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.
    1 Timothy 6:19
    Storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
    1 Peter 1:4
    To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.
  22. Cross References
    Luke 11:34
    The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness.
    Luke 11:35
    Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness.
  23. Cross References
    Luke 16:9
    And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.
    Luke 16:11
    Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
    Luke 16:13
    "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
  24. Cross References
    Galatians 1:10
    For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
    1 Timothy 6:17
    Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
    James 4:4
    Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
    1 John 2:15
    Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
  25. Cross References
    Psalms 55:22
    Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
    Luke 12:22
    Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.
    Philippians 4:6
    Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
    1 Peter 5:7
    Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
  26. Cross References
    Job 38:41
    Who provides food for the raven, When its young ones cry to God, And wander about for lack of food?
    Psalms 147:9
    He gives to the beast its food, And to the young ravens that cry.
    Matthew 10:29
    Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will.
    Luke 12:24
    Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?
  27. Cross References
    1 Kings 3:13
    And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.
    Luke 12:31
    But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
    1 Timothy 4:8
    For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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