“But the tax collector stood off by himself and wouldn’t even look up to heaven. He struck his chest in remorse and prayed, ‘God, have mercy on me. I’m a sinner.’
Look at what that godly sadness has produced in you. You’re working hard to clear yourselves. You’re upset and alarmed. You’re longing to see me. You’re concerned about what has happened. You want to make sure that the right thing is done. In every way, you’ve shown that you’re not at fault.
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that other people will see them. Truly I tell you, that’s all the reward they’ll get.