6:20a

But: There is a contrast between 6:19 and 6:20. The contrast is between storing up treasure on earth (6:19) and storing up treasures in heaven (6:20).

Here are some ways to introduce this contrast:

but (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Instead (Good News Translation)
-or-
Rather

store up for yourselves: This phrase is identical to the phrase in 6:19a. Translate it here as you did there.

treasures in heaven: The phrase treasures in heaven is parallel to and contrasts with the phrase “treasures on earth” in 6:19a. If possible, use the same word for “treasures” here as in 6:19a.

This verse does not specifically say what these treasures are, but it probably includes rewards from God. God will reward his people for doing their “acts of righteousness” such as giving to the needy (6:2–4), praying (6:5–8), and fasting (6:16–18), and doing all these in secret.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• Use the same word for treasures as in 6:19a. Such a word can be used to refer to figurative or spiritual treasures. Here are some examples:

treasures
-or-
wealth

• Use a word or expression that refers to spiritual treasures. For example:

rewards in heaven by doing good
-or-
that which is worth much in heaven

6:20b–c

where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal: Except for the negatives do not, the words of this clause are the same as those in 6:19b–c. The negative do not is also implied before steal. You should translate this clause the same way as you did there, but add the negatives.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

where there are no moths and no rust to destroy them, and no thieves to steal them

-or-

Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. (New Living Translation (1996))

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