Monday, May 19, 2014

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 and Psalm 124

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

[1]"Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

[2]"So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. [3]But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, [4]so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

[5]"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. [6]But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

[16]"And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. [17]But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, [18]so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

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Psalm 124

[1]   If it had not been the LORD who was on our side  
          -- let Israel now say --  
[2]   if it had not been the LORD who was on our side,  
          when our enemies attacked us,  
[3]   then they would have swallowed us up alive,  
          when their anger was kindled against us;  
[4]   then the flood would have swept us away,  
          the torrent would have gone over us;  
[5]   then over us would have gone  
          the raging waters.

[6]   Blessed be the LORD,  
          who has not given us  
          as prey to their teeth.  
[7]   We have escaped like a bird  
          from the snare of the fowlers;  
     the snare is broken,  
          and we have escaped.

[8]   Our help is in the name of the LORD,  
          who made heaven and earth.

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