6:8a

In Greek, 6:8 begins with the conjunction that is often translated in English as “therefore/so.” For example:

So do not be like them (New American Standard Bible)

This conjunction indicates that 6:8 is the conclusion to something that came before it. The part that comes before the conclusion has some implied information.

Here is one way to show the conclusion and what is implied:

7bthey think they will be heard because of their many words, ⌊but they are wrong⌋. 8aTherefore/So, do not be like them.

The Berean Standard Bible and most English versions do not translate this conjunction.

Do not be like them: The clause Do not be like them means “Do not pray like they pray.” Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Do not pray the way that they pray
-or-
Do not do what they do
-or-
Do not imitate them

them: The pronoun them refers to the “pagans” of 6:7a. You may need to repeat the expression you used for “pagans” instead of the pronoun them. For example:

Do not be like those pagans/Gentiles
-or-
Do not pray like those non-Jews

6:8b

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the basis for the command in 6:8a. In some languages, it is not necessary to have a conjunction here. For example:

Your Father knows what you need before you ask. (Contemporary English Version)

In other languages, it is more natural to put the basis of the command before the command. For example:

8bYour Father knows what you need before you ask him. 8aTherefore, do not be like the pagans ⌊who pray using many words⌋.

your Father: The phrase your Father refers to God. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

your Father ⌊God⌋
-or-
your ⌊heavenly⌋ Father
-or-
our(incl.) Father ⌊God⌋

This phrase also occurs 6:1c and 6:4b. See how you translated it there.

knows what you need: Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

knows the things that are important to you
-or-
knows the things that are necessary for you

before you ask Him: Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

before you ask him ⌊for those things⌋

-or-

before you ask him ⌊to give you those things⌋

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