6:7a

And when you pray, do not babble on: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as babble on refers to “speaking meaningless words” or “speaking without thinking.” In this context it probably includes excessive repetition.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

do not use a lot of words that have no meaning/value
-or-
do not continually repeat and repeat
-or-
do not pray a long time without thinking what you are saying

like pagans: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as like pagans refers to “people who were not Jews.” Such people worshiped idols, not the true God.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

non-Jews ⌊who do not worship God⌋
-or-
those people who don’t know God (New Century Version)

6:7b

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the reason that Gentiles pray long prayers.

7aThe Gentiles heap up empty phrases, 7bbecause they think that they will be heard because they use so many words.

In some languages, it is not necessary to have a conjunction here. For example:

They think God likes to hear long prayers. (Contemporary English Version)

In other languages, it is more natural to put the reason first. For example:

7bThe Gentiles think that they will be heard because of their many words. 7a⌊So⌋ when they pray, they heap up empty phrases. Do not pray like them.

they think: The Greek word the Berean Standard Bible translates as think means “imagine something to be true.” In this case, they are mistaken in what they think. It may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

they ⌊mistakenly⌋ think/suppose
-or-
they believe ⌊wrongly⌋
-or-
they assume…. ⌊But they are wrong.⌋

by their many words: These Gentiles think that their “gods” will listen to them if they use many words and make their prayers long.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

because of their many words
-or-
by using many words (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
when/if they pray a long time

they will be heard: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they will be heard is passive. The “god” or “gods/idols” that these people pray to are the ones that “hear.”

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

they will be heard (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
their prayers will be heard

• Use an active verb. For example:

their gods will hear them (Good News Translation)

-or-

whomever they are praying to will hear them

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