Study Desk

so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him].

"For if you love [only] those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that?

"Also, when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to pray [publicly] standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets so that they may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full.

"And when you pray, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

"So do not be like them [praying as they do]; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

-'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.'

"For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

"And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face [like actors, discoloring their faces with ashes or dirt] so that their fasting may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full.

"Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal;

for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].

"For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

"For just as you [hypocritically] judge others [when you are sinful and unrepentant], so will you be judged; and in accordance with your standard of measure [used to pass out judgment], judgment will be measured to you.

"Do not give that which is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, for they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

"For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.

"Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will [instead] give him a stone?

"Or if he asks for a fish, will [instead] give him a snake?

"So then, in everything treat others the same way you want them to treat you, for this is [the essence of] the Law and the [writings of the] Prophets.