Fasting to Be Seen Only by God

16 “Moreover, (A)when you fast, do not be like the [a]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, (B)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 [b]openly.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 6:16 pretenders
  2. Matthew 6:18 NU, M omit openly

Fasting

16 “When you fast,(A) do not look somber(B) as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.(C)

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Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of (A)Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow [a]of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers (B)night and day.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:37 NU until she was eighty-four

36 There was also a prophet,(A) Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[a](B) She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:37 Or then had been a widow for eighty-four years.