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Matthew 6:3

GenerosityHumilityIntegrity

1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their 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 there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.

    Read in context

  • Matthew 9:30

    And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.

    Read in context

  • Mark 1:44

    And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

    Read in context

  • Matthew 12:19

    He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

    Read in context