Matthew 6:2

So, whenever you give something to the poor, do not announce it as people announce something that they want other people to know about by playing a fanfare on a trumpet [MET]. That is what the hypocrites do ◄in the synagogues/in the Jewish meeting places► and on the main roads in order that people might see what they do and praise them. Keep this in mind: People praise those hypocrites, but that is the only reward they will receive!

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

1“When you do your good deeds, make certain that you do not do them when other people are watching so that they may see you and think highly of you. If you do good deeds merely in order that other people may think highly of you, God, your Father who is in heaven, will not give you any reward.

3Instead of doing as they do, when you give something to the poor, do not let other people know that you are doing that [MET].

Read all of Matthew 6

Cross References

Job 31:16“I have guided orphans from the time that they were born; I have taken care of them since they were young. So, if it were true that I ate all my food myself and did not share some of it with orphans, or that I refused to give poor people the things that they wanted, or that I caused widows to live ◄in despair/without hope that they would receive any help from anyone►,

Psalms 112:9They give things generously to poor/needy people; the results of their kind deeds will endure forever, and they will be exalted and honored.

Proverbs 20:6Many people proclaim that they can be trusted to do what they say that they will do, but it is very difficult to find [RHQ] someone who can really be trusted.

Isaiah 9:17For that reason, Yahweh is not pleased with the young men of Israel, and he does not even act mercifully toward the widows and orphans, because they are all ungodly and wicked, and they all say things that are foolish. But Yahweh still is angry with them; he is ready to strike them with his fist again.

Isaiah 58:7I want you to [RHQ] share your food with those who are hungry and to allow those who have no houses to stay in your houses. Give clothes to those who do not have clothes, and do not hide from your relatives who need help from you.

Hosea 8:1Yahweh said to me, “Blow [MTY] your trumpet to warn the people! My people have rejected the agreement that I made with them, and they have rebelled against obeying my laws. Therefore, their enemies are swooping down on my people’s country like [SIM] an eagle.

Matthew Henry on Matthew 6:2-5

The Sermon on the Mount. 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. 3 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… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

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