Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Note: These verses continue to elaborate on Matthew 5:20 regarding righteousness that “exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees”.
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when 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. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Similar Old Testament Verses
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words.
Ecclesiastes 5:2
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
Proverbs 10:19
Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
Psalm 139:4
O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
Psalm 139:1-2
The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:29
The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
Psalm 34:15
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:12-13
Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.
Isaiah 65:24
Bring no more vain offerings…
Isaiah 1:13
Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
Proverbs 21:4
The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
Isaiah 2:11
And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men…”
Isaiah 29:13
I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Amos 5:21
You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
Psalm 90:8
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
Proverbs 15:3
For my eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from me, nor is their iniquity concealed from my eyes.
Jeremiah 16:17
… then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways, for you, you only, know the hearts of the children of mankind…
2 Chronicles 6:30
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Leave a Reply