Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 333
5:46–6:17
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For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain
on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you,
what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.
If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone
else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father
in heaven is perfect.
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others,
for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to
someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the
synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you
the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when
you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your
right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees
everything, will reward you.
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see
them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But
when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray
to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will
reward you.
“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think
their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and
again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need
even before you ask him! Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive
your sins.
“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. But
