18:12a

In this verse the Pharisee continued to list things about his own character and actions for which he thanked God. Here he mentioned good things that he did. These things contrast with the sins that he did not do, which are mentioned in 18:11. In some languages it may be necessary to introduce this contrast in some way. For example:

On the contrary
-or-
Instead

Jesus stopped quoting the Pharisee’s prayer at the end of this verse. See the General Comment on 18:12b for a translation suggestion.

I fast twice a week: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fast means “to choose not to eat or drink for a certain time.” The Pharisees fasted for religious reasons. The phrase I fast twice a week indicates that on two days of the week, the Pharisee did not eat or drink anything. These “days” were two different periods of twenty-four hours, from one sunset to the next sunset.

The Old Testament laws required a Jew to fast only one day in the year, on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29). The Pharisee implied that he fasted much more than the law required. Some ways to translate I fast twice a week are:

For two days each week I do not eat or drink
-or-
I abstain from food for two days a week ⌊to pray⌋

The word fast also occurred in 5:33. See how you translated it there.

18:12b

and pay tithes of all that I acquire: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pay tithes of all that I acquire can also be translated as “give a tenth” (as in the New International Version). The Old Testament laws required Jews to give to God a tenth of what they gained from their cultivated fields (Deuteronomy 14:22).

As in 18:12a, the Pharisee implied that he did more than the law required him to do. He gave to God a tenth of everything he received. To give a tenth to God is to take one thing/part out of every ten things/parts and give it to God. Another way to translate this is:

I divide all I receive into ten parts and give one part to you.

This practice was also mentioned in 11:42. See how you translated it there.

General Comment on 18:12b

At the end of this verse Jesus stopped quoting what the Pharisee said in his prayer. In some languages it may be necessary to indicate in some way that the prayer has ended. For example:

“…and give a tenth of all I get.” ⌊That is what the Pharisee prayed.⌋

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