Matthew 6:7 Parallel Translations

"When you pray, don't ramble like heathens who think they'll be heard if they talk a lot.(GOD'S WORD®)

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

ASV:

And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

BBE:

And in your prayer do not make use of the same words again and again, as the Gentiles do: for they have the idea that God will give attention to them because of the number of their words.

DBY:

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as those who are of the nations: for they think they shall be heard through their much speaking.

ERV:

And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

WEY:

"And when praying, do not use needless repetitions as the Gentiles do, for they expect to be listened to because of their multitude of words.

WBS:

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

WEB:

In praying, don't use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.

YLT:

'And -- praying -- ye may not use vain repetitions like the nations, for they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard,

Matthew 6:7 Cross References

XREF:

1 Kings 18:26 Then they took the ox which was given them and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, "O Baal, answer us." But there was no voice and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they made. (NASB ©1995)

Commentaries and Concordances

GSB:

6:7 But when ye pray, use not {c} vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
(c) Long prayers are not condemned, but vain, needless, and superstitious ones.

PNT:

6:7 Use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]. What is forbidden is not much praying, nor praying in the same words (the Lord did both), but making the number of prayers, length of prayers, or time spent in praying, a point of observance and of merit. 1Ki 18:26 gives an example of the repetitions of the heathen. Mohammedans and Catholics still hold that there is merit in repeating certain prayers a set number of times.

WES:

6:7 Use not vain repetitions - To repeat any words without meaning them, is certainly a vain repetition. Therefore we should be extremely careful in all our prayers to mean what we say; and to say only what we mean from the bottom of our hearts. The vain and heathenish repetitions which we are here warned against, are most dangerous, and yet very common; which is a principal cause why so many, who still profess religion, are a disgrace to it. Indeed all the words in the world are not equivalent to one holy desire. And the very best prayers are but vain repetitions, if they are not the language of the heart.

MHC:

6:5-8 It is taken for granted that all who are disciples of Christ pray. You may as soon find a living man that does not breathe, as a living Christian that does not pray. If prayerless, then graceless. The Scribes and Pharisees were guilty of two great faults in prayer, vain-glory and vain repetitions. Verily they have their reward; if in so great a matter as is between us and God, when we are at prayer, we can look to so poor a thing as the praise of men, it is just that it should be all our reward. Yet there is not a secret, sudden breathing after God, but he observes it. It is called a reward, but it is of grace, not of debt; what merit can there be in begging? If he does not give his people what they ask, it is because he knows they do not need it, and that it is not for their good. So far is God from being wrought upon by the length or words of our prayers, that the most powerful intercessions are those which are made with groanings that cannot be uttered. Let us well study what is shown of the frame of mind in which our prayers should be offered, and learn daily from Christ how to pray.

CONC:

Attention Empty Expect Gentiles Heap Heathen Idea Listened Meaningless Multitude Nations Needless Pagans Phrases Prayer Praying Repetition Repetitions Speaking Suppose Vain

Babbling Empty Expect Gentiles Heap Heard Heathen Idea Meaningless Multitude Nations Needless Prayer Praying Repetition Speaking Suppose Think Use Vain Words

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GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.

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