Giving to the Poor and Prayer

6 “Be [very] careful not to do your ^[a]good deeds publicly, to be seen by men; otherwise you will have no reward [prepared and awaiting you] with your Father who is in heaven.

² “So whenever you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not blow a trumpet before you [to advertise it], as the hypocrites do [like actors acting out a role] in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored and recognized and praised by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing [give in complete secrecy], ⁴ so that your charitable acts will be done in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.

⁵ “Also, when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to pray [publicly] standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets so that they may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.

⁷ “And when you pray, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.^{(A) 8} So do not be like them [praying as they do]; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

⁹ “Pray, then, ^[b]in this way:

¹⁴ For if you forgive ^[k]others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.

Fasting, The True Treasure, Wealth (Mammon)

¹⁶ “And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face [like actors, discoloring their faces with ashes or dirt] so that their fasting may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full.^{(D) 17} But when you fast, put oil on your head [as you normally would to groom your hair] and wash your face ¹⁸ so that your fasting will not be noticed by people, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.