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Matthew 6:1

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
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.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

Be careful not to do your good deeds just so people will see you and think you're amazing. If that's your only reason, don't expect any reward from your Father in heaven.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Good deeds for clout don't count with God — he sees your real motives.

📜 Historical Context — Why was this verse written?

The Gospel of Matthew, traditionally attributed to the apostle Matthew, was written for a Jewish Christian audience likely in Syria or Antioch between 70 and 90 CE. It aimed to guide early Christians on sincere religious practice, emphasizing humility in acts of piety like almsgiving, prayer, and fasting, rather than public display.

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Translation & Methodology Sources

The original manuscript text provided is based on the King James Version (KJV), which is in the public domain. Our modern English simplifications are generated via proprietary philological synthesis, cross-referenced against Strong's Exhaustive Concordance and the Textus Receptus to ensure unwavering theological and etymological precision.

Read our full translation methodology →