The Art of Life Bible - Flipbook - Page 33
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Palestine Sunbird
14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you . 15 But if you refuse to forgive
others, your Father will not forgive your sins .
16“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the
hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting . I tell
you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get .
17 But when you fast, comb your hair* and wash your face .
18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except
your Father, who knows what you do in private . And
your Father, who sees everything, will reward you .
Teaching about Money and Possessions
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths
eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves
break in and steal . 20 Store your treasures in heaven,
where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do
not break in and steal . 21 Wherever your treasure is, there
the desires of your heart will also be .
22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your
body . When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled
with light . 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole
body is filled with darkness . And if the light you think
you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
24 “No one can serve two masters . For you will hate
one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and
despise the other . You cannot serve God and be enslaved
to money .
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or
enough clothes to wear . Isn’t life more than food, and
your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds . They
don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your
heavenly Father feeds them . And aren’t you far more
valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries
add a single moment to your life?
5:29 Greek your right eye. 5:30 Greek your right hand. 5:31 Deut 24:1.
5:33 Num 30:2. 5:38 Greek the law that says: ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a
tooth.’ Exod 21:24; Lev 24:20; Deut 19:21. 5:41 Greek milion [4,854 feet or 1,478
meters]. 5:43 Lev 19:18. 5:44 Some manuscripts add Bless those who curse
you. Do good to those who hate you. Compare Luke 6:27-28. 5:47 Greek your
brothers. 6:11 Or Give us today our food for the day; or Give us today our food for
tomorrow. 6:13a Or And keep us from being tested. 6:13b Or from evil. Some
manuscripts add For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen. 6:17 Greek anoint your head.
Cinnyris osea
Read Matthew 6:19-34,
especially 6:26.
The Greek word translated “birds”
in Matthew 6:26 is generic, indicating no particular species. There
are several hundred bird species
known in Israel. One example of
a species native to the region is
the Palestine sunbird. Like other
sunbirds, this species is a small
songbird characterized by the
male’s brightly-colored plumage
and the down-curved beak of
both genders. The Palestine sunbird is approximately three to four
inches long and feeds primarily
on nectar.
In this section of the Sermon on
the Mount, Jesus is encouraging
his listeners not to worry. To
support his point, he uses the
example of birds, which do not
perform any agricultural work
but nonetheless are supplied
with food by God. If God provides
even for birds—often thought of
as small and insignificant—then
he will surely care for his people.
Nothing—and no one—is outside
of God’s sphere of concern.
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