“When you go without eating, don’t look all sad like the hypocrites. They make strange faces so that people will notice that they’re fasting. Truly I tell you, that’s all the reward they’ll get.
John’s disciples and the Pharisees were going without eating. Some people came and asked Jesus, “John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees often go without eating, so why don’t your disciples do the same?”
Paul and Barnabas appointed people who’d trusted in the Lord to be elders in each church. They prayed and fasted and committed the elders to the Lord’s care.
“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.
“When you give to people in need, don’t announce it by having trumpets blown in front of you. That’s what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets because they want people to notice them. Truly I tell you, that’s all the reward they’ll get.
Don’t deprive each other. You could agree not to have sexual relations for a while if you really needed time to pray. But after that, you should go back to having sexual relations. Otherwise, Satan will tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
We don’t give up if we’re beaten or put in prison, or if people stir up trouble in the streets. We work hard and go without sleep or food if we have to.
Cornelius answered, “Three days ago at this very time, three o’clock in the afternoon, I was in my house praying. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood in front of me.
“Be careful not to do good deeds in front of other people so that they’ll see you. If you do that, you won’t get any reward from your Father in heaven.