Matthew 6:1-18

“Make sure not to do your good deeds in front of people, just so they can be seen. Otherwise you won't have any reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to the poor, don't be like the hypocrites who blow their own trumpets to announce what they're doing in the synagogues and in the streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth: they already have their reward. When you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand's doing. That way what you give will be in secret, and your Father who sees what happens in secret will reward you. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand up and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that people can see them. I promise you, they already have their reward. But you, when you pray, go indoors and close the door, and pray to your Father in private, and your Father who sees what happens in private will reward you. When you pray, don't babble on meaninglessly like the foreigners do, who think they will be heard because of all the words they repeat. Don't be like them, for your Father knows what you need even before you ask him. So pray like this: Our heavenly Father, may your name be honored. May your kingdom come! May your will be carried out in earth as it is in heaven. Please give to us today the food we need. Forgive our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. Please don't let us give in to temptation, and save us from the evil one. For if you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don't forgive those who sin against you, then your heavenly Father won't forgive your sins. When you fast, don't be like the hypocrites who put on sad faces and make themselves look terrible so that everyone can see they're fasting. I tell you the truth, they already have their reward. Instead, when you fast, wash your face and look smart, so that people won't see you're fasting, and your unseen Father who sees what happens in private will reward you.