Bible verse by verse

[_Maksutov]

So who was the witness to John baptizing Jesus, so that we have this account?

Hello? Anyone? Bueller?

[_LittleNipper]

So who was the witness to John baptizing Jesus, so that we have this account?

Hello? Anyone? Bueller?

Obviously, John the Baptizer was there having immersed Jesus and don't forget John the Baptist’s disciples. Remember that once John had more disciples than Jesus had ---- “all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him (John the Baptizer) and were being immersed by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins” (Mark 1:5) so technically there could have been thousands around when Jesus was immersed. This would include those waiting to be immersed and there is little doubt that there were also a lot of spectators who would be observing John from a distance ---- remember there was no radio or TV in that day. This is why medicine shows and tent revival meetings were once so popular even well into the 1930's. This included the religious leaders of the Jews since they had questioned John about why He was immersing people (Matt 3:1-11) if he weren’t Elijah, the Prophet or the Messiah (John 1:25-26).

And then there is the heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit. They would have made certain that the event was perfectly documented as so desired by God.

[_Maksutov]

So who was the witness to John baptizing Jesus, so that we have this account?

Hello? Anyone? Bueller?

Obviously, John the Baptizer was there having immersed Jesus and don't forget John the Baptist’s disciples. Remember that once John had more disciples than Jesus had ---- “all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him (John the Baptizer) and were being immersed by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins” (Mark 1:5) so technically there could have been thousands around when Jesus was immersed. This would include those waiting to be immersed and there is little doubt that there were also a lot of spectators who would be observing John from a distance ---- remember there was no radio or TV in that day. This is why medicine shows and tent revival meetings were once so popular even well into the 1930's. This included the religious leaders of the Jews since they had questioned John about why He was immersing people (Matt 3:1-11) if he weren’t Elijah, the Prophet or the Messiah (John 1:25-26).

And then there is the heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit. They would have made certain that the event was perfectly documented as so desired by God.

Obviously you don't know, you're guessing. And you don't know if Matthew wrote the book, and you don't know where 'he' got it from.

Why isn't 'sinless' Jesus baptizing John instead of the other way around? What sins did Jesus have to wash away?

Where do you get the idea that the Bible is infallible? From the Bible?

[_LittleNipper]

[Obviously, John the Baptizer was there having immersed Jesus and don't forget John the Baptist’s disciples. Remember that once John had more disciples than Jesus had ---- “all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him (John the Baptizer) and were being immersed by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins” (Mark 1:5) so technically there could have been thousands around when Jesus was immersed. This would include those waiting to be immersed and there is little doubt that there were also a lot of spectators who would be observing John from a distance ---- remember there was no radio or TV in that day. This is why medicine shows and tent revival meetings were once so popular even well into the 1930's. This included the religious leaders of the Jews since they had questioned John about why He was immersing people (Matt 3:1-11) if he weren’t Elijah, the Prophet or the Messiah (John 1:25-26).

And then there is the heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit. They would have made certain that the event was perfectly documented as so desired by God.

Obviously you don't know, you're guessing. And you don't know if Matthew wrote the book, and you don't know where 'he' got it from.

Why isn't 'sinless' Jesus baptizing John instead of the other way around? What sins did Jesus have to wash away?

Where do you get the idea that the Bible is infallible? From the Bible?

But John protested, saying, “I need to be immersed by You, and do You come to me?”

But Jesus answered him, “Let it be understood that it is all right to participate in righteousness.” Jesus began teaching through illustration and examples. Why do you imagine that evolutionists have it correct? Were they there or are they building a fortress of opinion erected on scant data? It is generally accepted that this was not the first gospel written and that it was written in the 60's A.D
Matthew was written to the Jews to answer their questions regarding Jesus of Nazareth, who claimed to be their Messiah. His recorded teachings are to substantiate the claim of Jesus to be the One who fulfills the Old Testament prophesies of Messiah. There were obviously witnesses still living who knew Jesus personally.

[_spotlight]

a fortress of opinion erected on scant data?

Scant data? Oh, he must be referring to the data on the subject that resides in his head.

[_Maksutov]

Obviously you don't know, you're guessing. And you don't know if Matthew wrote the book, and you don't know where 'he' got it from.

Why isn't 'sinless' Jesus baptizing John instead of the other way around? What sins did Jesus have to wash away?

Where do you get the idea that the Bible is infallible? From the Bible?

But John protested, saying, “I need to be immersed by You, and do You come to me?”

But Jesus answered him, “Let it be understood that it is all right to participate in righteousness.” Jesus began teaching through illustration and examples. Why do you imagine that evolutionists have it correct? Were they there or are they building a fortress of opinion erected on scant data? It is generally accepted that this was not the first gospel written and that it was written in the 60's A.D
Matthew was written to the Jews to answer their questions regarding Jesus of Nazareth, who claimed to be their Messiah. His recorded teachings are to substantiate the claim of Jesus to be the One who fulfills the Old Testament prophesies of Messiah. There were obviously witnesses still living who knew Jesus personally.

No, there's no evidence that it was written by people who knew Jesus personally. You have no evidence for that. Paul's followers destroyed the older accounts of Jesus, suppressed them, because they favored James rather than Paul. That's why Paul's letters are older than the manuscripts we have of the Gospels. And, by the way, several of Paul's letters are known forgeries. Paul was a liar who silenced people who were telling the truth, because he wanted power over the church. And so the corruption and lies started quite early.

You spent months posting the scriptures of the Jews and the Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah. They can explain in great detail why. Have you ever asked them? They are the stewards of the scriptures Jesus supposedly came to fulfill. They understand them far better than you do. They rejected him because he wasn't the Messiah. He was just a human being who was executed by the Romans for subversion. There had been others like him, before and after. Stories were made up about him like they've been made up of every other religious figure in history. Your ideas of Christ are based on Paul, who never knew him and made up everything he ever said or taught about him. Read that again. "Made up". I can make up stories, too. So did Joseph Smith, Ellen White, Mary Baker Eddy, all kinds of folks who contradict you. You insist that your particular story is right, yet Christians can't even agree on what the stories mean. There are Christians who accept evolution. There are Christians who do not accept the rapture. There are Christians who say that there is no trinitarian paradox. You're arguing for a fundamentalist interpretation of a particular, very narrow and irrational Christian sect and you haven't resolved the contradictions and problems that have plagued Christianity for centuries. But you can copy and paste like a good little monk.

[_LittleNipper]

[But John protested, saying, “I need to be immersed by You, and do You come to me?”

But Jesus answered him, “Let it be understood that it is all right to participate in righteousness.” Jesus began teaching through illustration and examples. Why do you imagine that evolutionists have it correct? Were they there or are they building a fortress of opinion erected on scant data? It is generally accepted that this was not the first gospel written and that it was written in the 60's A.D
Matthew was written to the Jews to answer their questions regarding Jesus of Nazareth, who claimed to be their Messiah. His recorded teachings are to substantiate the claim of Jesus to be the One who fulfills the Old Testament prophesies of Messiah. There were obviously witnesses still living who knew Jesus personally.

No, there's no evidence that it was written by people who knew Jesus personally. You have no evidence for that. Paul's followers destroyed the older accounts of Jesus, suppressed them, because they favored James rather than Paul. That's why Paul's letters are older than the manuscripts we have of the Gospels. And, by the way, several of Paul's letters are known forgeries. Paul was a liar who silenced people who were telling the truth, because he wanted power over the church. And so the corruption and lies started quite early.

You spent months posting the scriptures of the Jews and the Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah. They can explain in great detail why. Have you ever asked them? They are the stewards of the scriptures Jesus supposedly came to fulfill. They understand them far better than you do. They rejected him because he wasn't the Messiah. He was just a human being who was executed by the Romans for subversion. There had been others like him, before and after. Stories were made up about him like they've been made up of every other religious figure in history. Your ideas of Christ are based on Paul, who never knew him and made up everything he ever said or taught about him. Read that again. "Made up". I can make up stories, too. So did Joseph Smith, Ellen White, Mary Baker Eddy, all kinds of folks who contradict you. You insist that your particular story is right, yet Christians can't even agree on what the stories mean. There are Christians who accept evolution. There are Christians who do not accept the rapture. There are Christians who say that there is no trinitarian paradox. You're arguing for a fundamentalist interpretation of a particular, very narrow and irrational Christian sect and you haven't resolved the contradictions and problems that have plagued Christianity for centuries. But you can copy and paste like a good little monk.

You say there is NO EVIDENCE that it (The New Testament) was written by people who knew Jesus personally. Then YOU SAY that Paul's followers destroyed the older accounts of Jesus because they favored James rather than Paul... And you imagine that YOU have cornered the market on truth, facts and evidence which you say Bible believers lack ..................... You seem readily accepting of made up Gnostic stories and ancient Sadducee and Pharisee attempts to distort, corrupt, and hide the facts which reveal the identity of the Messiah. There are Christians who accept "gay" marriage. Accepting something and embracing the truth are entirely two different things.

[_LittleNipper]

Matthew 4:1-25

Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness to be tempted by the Adversary.

After Jesus had fasted 40 days and nights, he was famished.

The Tempter arrived and said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, order these stones to change into bread.”

But Jesus answered, “The scriptures says,

‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’”

Then the Adversary took him to the holy city and placed Jesus upon the highest spot of the Temple.

“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “jump! For the scripture says,

‘He will order his angels to be responsible for you. . . . They will support you with their hands, so that you will not hurt your feet on the stones.’”

Jesus replied to him, “But it also says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Again, the Adversary took him up to the summit of a very high mountain, and displayed for Jesus all the various kingdoms of the world in all their beauty,

and said to him, “All this I will hand over to you if you will kneel down and worship me.”

“Go away, Satan!” Jesus told him, “For the scripture says,

‘Worship Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”

Then the Adversary went away, and angels came and nursed Jesus.

When Jesus heard that John the Baptizer had been thrown into prison, he returned to the Galilee;

but Jesus left Nazareth and came to live in Capernaum, a lake shore town near the boundary between Zebulun and Naphtali.

This occurred to fulfill what was revealed through Isaiah the prophet,

“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, toward the lake, beyond the the Way of the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

the gentiles have seen a great light; upon those living in the area, in the shadow of death, light is revealed.”

From that point onward, Jesus began proclaiming, “Turn from your sins to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is close!”

As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee , he observed two brothers who were fishermen — Simon, known as Peter, and his brother Andrew — tossing their net into the lake.

Jesus called to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men!”

Immediately they left their nets and went with him.

Moving along from there, Jesus saw two other brothers — James son of Zebedee and his brother John — in the boat with their father Zebedee, repairing their nets; and Jesus called them.

At once they left the boat and their father and went with Jesus.

Jesus traveled all over the Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Glad tidings of the Kingdom, and healing people from every kind of disease and sickness.

Word of him spread throughout all Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill, suffering from various diseases and pains, and those trapped in the hold of demons, and epileptics and paralytics; and Jesus cured them.

Huge crowds followed him from the Galilee, the Ten Towns (Decapolis), Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.


New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Jesus Begins to Preach
12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee.

13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—

14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Jesus Calls His First Disciples
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,

22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus Heals the Sick
23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.

25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

[_LittleNipper]

Matthew 5:1-48

Now as Jesus observed the crowds, he went up on a hillside and sat down. His disciples came to him,

and he started instructing them. He said:

“Content are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Content are those who weep, for they will be comforted.

Content are the meek, for they will gain the earth.

Content are those who have a deep desire for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Content are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Content are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Content are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Content are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Content are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely accuse you regarding Me.

Rejoice and be content, because great is your reward in heaven, for similarly they persecuted the prophets who came before you.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be tossed out and walked upon.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead they set it high on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In this way, let your light shine around others, that they may observe your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

Do not think that I have come to banish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to banish them but to fulfill them.

Honestly, I tell you, until heaven and earth vanish, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Therefore anyone who ignores one of the least of these commands and teaches other to do so will be labeled insignificant in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to the same judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘worthless,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fires of hell.

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister is upset with you,

leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then return and offer your gift.

Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still walking along together, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be tossed into prison.

Honestly, I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid every single penny.

You have heard that its been said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his soul.

If your right eye causes you to faultier, it would be better to gouge it out and throw it away. It is far better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

And if your right hand causes you to faultier, cut it off and toss it aside. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body enter into hell.

It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must hand her a certificate of divorce.’

But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Again, you have heard that it was told the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you make.’

But I tell you, do not swear an oath ever: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;

or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.

And do not swear by your head, for you cannot create one hair white or black.

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’

But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.

If anyone insists you to go 1 mile, go with them 2 miles.

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

that you may be children of the heavenly Father. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than anyone else? Do not even pagans do that?

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And having seen the multitudes, he went up to the mount, and he having sat down, his disciples came to him,

2 and having opened his mouth, he was teaching them, saying:

3 `Happy the poor in spirit -- because theirs is the reign of the heavens.

4 `Happy the mourning -- because they shall be comforted.

5 `Happy the meek -- because they shall inherit the land.

6 `Happy those hungering and thirsting for righteousness -- because they shall be filled.

7 `Happy the kind -- because they shall find kindness.

8 `Happy the clean in heart -- because they shall see God.

9 `Happy the peacemakers -- because they shall be called Sons of God.

10 `Happy those persecuted for righteousness' sake -- because theirs is the reign of the heavens.

11 `Happy are ye whenever they may reproach you, and may persecute, and may say any evil thing against you falsely for my sake --

12 rejoice ye and be glad, because your reward [is] great in the heavens, for thus did they persecute the prophets who were before you.

13 `Ye are the salt of the land, but if the salt may lose savour, in what shall it be salted? for nothing is it good henceforth, except to be cast without, and to be trodden down by men.

14 `Ye are the light of the world, a city set upon a mount is not able to be hid;

15 nor do they light a lamp, and put it under the measure, but on the lamp-stand, and it shineth to all those in the house;

16 so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and may glorify your Father who [is] in the heavens.

17 `Do not suppose that I came to throw down the law or the prophets -- I did not come to throw down, but to fulfill;

18 for, verily I say to you, till that the heaven and the earth may pass away, one iota or one tittle may not pass away from the law, till that all may come to pass.

19 `Whoever therefore may loose one of these commands -- the least -- and may teach men so, least he shall be called in the reign of the heavens, but whoever may do and may teach [them], he shall be called great in the reign of the heavens.

20 `For I say to you, that if your righteousness may not abound above that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye may not enter to the reign of the heavens.

21 `Ye heard that it was said to the ancients: Thou shalt not kill, and whoever may kill shall be in danger of the judgment;

22 but I -- I say to you, that every one who is angry at his brother without cause, shall be in danger of the judgment, and whoever may say to his brother, Empty fellow! shall be in danger of the sanhedrim, and whoever may say, Rebel! shall be in danger of the gehenna of the fire.

23 `If, therefore, thou mayest bring thy gift to the altar, and there mayest remember that thy brother hath anything against thee,

24 leave there thy gift before the altar, and go -- first be reconciled to thy brother, and then having come bring thy gift.

25 `Be agreeing with thy opponent quickly, while thou art in the way with him, that the opponent may not deliver thee to the judge, and the judge may deliver thee to the officer, and to prison thou mayest be cast,

26 verily I say to thee, thou mayest not come forth thence till that thou mayest pay the last farthing.

27 `Ye heard that it was said to the ancients: Thou shalt not commit adultery;

28 but I -- I say to you, that every one who is looking on a woman to desire her, did already commit adultery with her in his heart.

29 `But, if thy right eye doth cause thee to stumble, pluck it out and cast from thee, for it is good to thee that one of thy members may perish, and not thy whole body be cast to gehenna.

30 `And, if thy right hand doth cause thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast from thee, for it is good to thee that one of thy members may perish, and not thy whole body be cast to gehenna.

31 `And it was said, That whoever may put away his wife, let him give to her a writing of divorce;

32 but I -- I say to you, that whoever may put away his wife, save for the matter of whoredom, doth make her to commit adultery; and whoever may marry her who hath been put away doth commit adultery.

33 `Again, ye heard that it was said to the ancients: Thou shalt not swear falsely, but thou shalt pay to the Lord thine oaths;

34 but I -- I say to you, not to swear at all; neither by the heaven, because it is the throne of God,

35 nor by the earth, because it is His footstool, nor by Jerusalem, because it is a city of a great king,

36 nor by thy head mayest thou swear, because thou art not able one hair to make white or black;

37 but let your word be, Yes, Yes, No, No, and that which is more than these is of the evil.

38 `Ye heard that it was said: Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth;

39 but I -- I say to you, not to resist the evil, but whoever shall slap thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other;

40 and whoever is willing to take thee to law, and thy coat to take -- suffer to him also the cloak.

41 `And whoever shall impress thee one mile, go with him two,

42 to him who is asking of thee be giving, and him who is willing to borrow from thee thou mayest not turn away.

43 `Ye heard that it was said: Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and shalt hate thine enemy;

44 but I -- I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those cursing you, do good to those hating you, and pray for those accusing you falsely, and persecuting you,

45 that ye may be sons of your Father in the heavens, because His sun He doth cause to rise on evil and good, and He doth send rain on righteous and unrighteous.

46 `For, if ye may love those loving you, what reward have ye? do not also the tax-gatherers the same?

47 and if ye may salute your brethren only, what do ye abundant? do not also the tax-gatherers so?

48 ye shall therefore be perfect, as your Father who [is] in the heavens is perfect.

[_LittleNipper]

Matthew 6:1-34

“Be concerned not to perform your good deeds publicly for observation by men; otherwise you will gain no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

So whenever you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not blow your own horn advertising it, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored and recognized and praised by everyone. I assure you most solemnly, they've already received their reward in full.

But when you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, don't dwell on it,

so that your charitable acts will be done in secret; and your Father who observes secretly will reward you.

Also, when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they desire to pray openly standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets so that they may be observed by men. I assure you most solemnly, they have their reward in full now.

But rather when you pray, enter into your most private room, shut the door and pray to your unseen Father , and your Father who observes in secret will reward you.

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

So do not follow their illustration; for your Father knows what you actually need before you petition Him.

Pray such as this:

'Our Father in heaven, Holy is Your name.

Let Your Kingdom arrive. Your will be done here on earth as it happens in heaven.

Give us today our necessary nutrition.

And forgive us our shortcomings, as we have forgiven those who owe us.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and all glory eternally. So be it.’

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

But if you nurture your hurt and anger, the result will be that it interferes with your relationship with God, then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.

And whenever you are fasting, do not look somber like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face so that their fasting may be observed by men. I assure you solemnly, they already have their reward in full.

But when you fast, nourish your hair and wash your face

so that your fasting will not be noticed by people, but by your Father secretly; and your Father who observes secretly will reward you.

Do not store up for yourselves material 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 will be also.

The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is bright, your whole body will be full of light.

But if your eye is spiritually blind, your whole body will be empty of God’s precepts. So if the light inside you is darkness, how great and terrible is that darkness!

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 dwell on possessions/fame/status.

Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or perpetually uneasy about your life, as to what you will eat, drink or wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Observe at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor harvest nor store crops in barns, and yet your heavenly Father continues to nourish them. Are you not more valuable than they?

And who of you by worrying can add an hour to his lifespan?

And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they make clothing,

yet I say to you that not even Solomon dressed in all his glory and splendor compared to one of these.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is mowed down and thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

Therefore do not fret or be anxious, saying, ‘What are we going to eat, drink, wear..?’

For the pagans eagerly seek all these things; have no fear for your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But first and most importantly seek His kingdom and the character of God, and all these things will be given to you also.

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

New International Version (NIV)

Giving to the Needy
1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others 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 announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

3 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. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer
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 others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us today our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Fasting
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,

18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.

23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.