Parallel Verses

International Standard Version

"When you are praying, don't say meaningless things like the unbelievers do, because they think they will be heard by being so wordy.

New American Standard Bible

“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.

King James Version

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

Holman Bible

When you pray, don’t babble like the idolaters, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words.

A Conservative Version

And while praying do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think that they will be heard by their much speaking.

American Standard Version

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

Amplified

“And when you pray, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

An Understandable Version

And when you pray, do not use worthless repetitions like the [unconverted] Gentiles, for they think their lengthy, repetitious wording [in prayer] is more likely to be heard [by God].

Anderson New Testament

But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Bible in Basic English

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.

Common New Testament

And when you pray, do not use empty repetitions as the Gentiles do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Daniel Mace New Testament

When you pray, be not verbose, as the heathen are: for they think they shall be heard for their loquaciousness.

Darby Translation

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.

Godbey New Testament

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

Goodspeed New Testament

And when you pray, do not repeat empty phrases as the heathen do, for they imagine that their prayers will be heard if they use words enough.

John Wesley New Testament

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathens; for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Julia Smith Translation

And praying, talk ye not vainly as the nations; for they think that by their profaneness of speech they shall be listened to.

King James 2000

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

Lexham Expanded Bible

"But [when you] pray, do not babble repetitiously like the pagans, for they think that because of their many words they will be heard.

Modern King James verseion

But when you pray, do not babble vain words, as the nations. For they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

"And when ye pray, babble not much, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard, for their much babbling's sake.

Moffatt New Testament

Do not pray by idle rote like pagans, for they suppose they will be heard the more they say;

Montgomery New Testament

"While praying do not say the same words over and over again, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that by their much speaking they will gain attention.

NET Bible

When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard.

New Heart English Bible

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

Noyes New Testament

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for the multitude of their words.

Sawyer New Testament

And when you pray use not vain repetitions, as the gentiles do; for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking.

The Emphasized Bible

And, being at prayer, use not vain repetitions, just like the nations, - for they think, that, in their much speaking, they shall be hoard;

Thomas Haweis New Testament

And when thou art at prayer, use not vain repetitions, like the heathen: for they imagine that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Twentieth Century New Testament

When praying, do not repeat the same words over and over again, as is done by the Gentiles, who think that by using many words they will obtain a hearing.

Webster

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

Weymouth New Testament

"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.

Williams New Testament

And whenever you pray, you must not keep on repeating set phrases, as the heathen do, for they suppose that they will be heard in accordance with the length of their prayers,

World English Bible

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

Worrell New Testament

"And, when praying, use not vain repetitions, as the gentiles do; for they think that for their much speaking they shall be heard.

Worsley New Testament

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

Youngs Literal Translation

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

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
But
δέ 
De 
but, and, now, then, also, yet, yea, so, moreover, nevertheless, for, even, , not tr
Usage: 2184

when ye pray
προσεύχομαι 
Proseuchomai 
Usage: 61

use
βαττολογέω 
Battologeo 
Usage: 0

not
μή 
me 
not, no, that not, God forbid 9, lest, neither, no man , but, none, not translated,
Usage: 493

βαττολογέω 
Battologeo 
Usage: 0

as
ὥσπερ 
Hosper 
as, even as, like as
Usage: 24

the heathen
ἐθνικός 
Ethnikos 
Usage: 0

do for
γάρ 
Gar 
for, , not tr
Usage: 825

δοκέω 
Dokeo 
Usage: 45

ὅτι 
Hoti 
Usage: 764

εἰσακούω 
Eisakouo 
Usage: 4

for
ἐν 
En 
in, by, with, among, at, on, through,
Usage: 2128


Usage: 0

Context Readings

The Sermon On The Mount: How To Pray

6 But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees from the hidden place will reward you. 7 "When you are praying, don't say meaningless things like the unbelievers do, because they think they will be heard by being so wordy. 8 Don't be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask him.


Cross References

1 Kings 8:26-54

"Now therefore, God of Israel, may your promise that you made to your servant David my father be fulfilled"

1 Kings 18:26-29

So they took the ox that was given to them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from early morning until noon. "Baal! Answer us!" they cried. But there was no response. Nobody answered. So they kept on dancing around the altar that they had made.

Ecclesiastes 5:2-3

Don't be impulsive with your mouth nor be in a hurry to talk in God's presence. Since God is in heaven and you're on earth, keep your speech short.

Ecclesiastes 5:7

In spite of many daydreams, pointless actions, and empty words, it is more important to fear God.

Matthew 18:17

If, however, he ignores them, tell it to the congregation. If he also ignores the congregation, regard him as an unbeliever and a tax collector.

Daniel 9:18-19

Turn your ear and listen, O God. Open your eyes and look at our desolation and at the city that is called by your name. We're not presenting our requests before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great compassion.

Matthew 6:32

because it is the unbelievers who are eager for all those things. Surely your heavenly Father knows that you need all of them!

Matthew 26:39

Going on a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, "O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not what I want but what you want."

Matthew 26:42

He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if this cup cannot go away unless I drink it, let your will be done."

Matthew 26:44

After leaving them again, he went away and prayed again for the third time, saying the same thing.

Acts 19:34

But when they found out that he was a Jew, they all started to shout in unison for about two hours, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain