5 “Whenever you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray in the Jewish meeting halls and on street corners so everyone will notice them.[ref] I can assure you that they’ve already received their reward in full. 6 Instead, when you pray, go into a private room and shut the door, then pray to your father who’s not visible to you. Then your father who sees everything will reward you.

7 “And when you do pray, don’t babble away like people of other religions who think they’ll be listened to just because of how much they pray. 8 There’s no need to be like them, because God your father already knows your needs before you even ask him. 9 So pray like this:

‘Our father in the heavens,

we want your name to be honoured forever.

10 We want your kingdom to come

and your plans to be fulfilled here on earth just like they are in heaven.

11 Give us everything we need today

12 and write off what we owe you

as we also write off what others owe us.

13 Don’t bring us to the point of being tempted,

but keep us away from doing evil things.’

14 “Because if you people forgive other people’s wrongs, then your heavenly father will also forgive your wrongs.[ref] 15 But if you don’t forgive other people’s wrongs, then your father won’t forgive your wrongs either.