6:4a

so that: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that introduces the purpose of not letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing (in 6:3b).

3bDo not let one hand know what the other is doing, 4ain order that your giving may be in secret.

Another way to translate this conjunction is as the introduction of a result clause. For example:

Then (Good News Translation)

your giving: In some languages it is more natural to translate the phrase your giving with a clause. For example:

what you give
-or-

⌊the alms/help⌋ you give ⌊to the needy⌋

may be in secret: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as secret refers to something “hidden” or “unseen.” By not letting others know that you are helping the poor (6:3b), your “giving” is in secret. Other people do not see or know what you give because you are “giving” in a private way.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

it will be a private matter (Good News Translation)
-or-
no one will know/see what you have done

Use an expression that can be used both here and in 6:4b.

6:4b

And your Father: The phrase your Father refers to God.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

And your Father ⌊God⌋
-or-
Then your ⌊heavenly⌋ Father
-or-
Our(incl.) Father ⌊God⌋

The phrase your Father also occurs in 6:1c. See how you translated it there.

who sees what is done in secret, will reward you: The phrase in secret is the same phrase as in 6:4a, and refers to the same thing.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

who sees all that is done in secret will reward you (New Jerusalem Bible)

-or-

knows the deed that you have done when no one can see you, and he will reward you.

Be careful to translate the clause in a way that does not imply that you have two Fathers: one who sees in secret and another who does not see in secret. In some languages, it is more natural to translate this as two sentences. For example:

Your Father sees what you do in private. He will reward you. (God’s Word)

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