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Matthew 6:3

GenerosityHumilityIntegrity

1 “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
KJV
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
WEB
But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does,
ASV
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
DARBY
But thou, when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand does;
BLB
But [in] your doing charity, do not let your left [hand] know what your right hand is doing,
ÅB
«Men når du gir almisser skal du ikke la din venstre hånd vite hva din høyre gjør,
OTB
Men når du gir til de trengende, gjør det diskret, uten å trekke oppmerksomhet til deg selv,
B1930
Men når du gir almisse, da la ikke din venstre hånd vite hvad din høire gjør,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • John 7:4

    For no one who wants to be known publicly acts in secret. Since You are doing these things, show Yourself to the world.”

    Read in context

  • Matthew 9:30

    And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one finds out about this!”

    Read in context

  • Mark 1:44

    “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

    Read in context

  • Matthew 12:19

    He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets.

    Read in context