Chapter 26: Rules of practice and prayer

1 Take heed that ye do not your practice before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward from the hours of your toil. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine practice, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the gymnasiums and on the beach, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They will soon have their reward. 3 But when thou doest practice, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine skill may grow in secret: and prowess in battle shall reward thee openly.

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the fools are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets with eyes closed, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They will soon have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet alone, and when thou hast shut thy door, lock and bar it and pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly with protection from surprise.