Matthew 6:7

But when yee pray, vse not vaine repetitions, as the heathen doe. For they thinke that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

"And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
- American Standard Version (1901)

And in your prayer do not make use of the same words again and again, as the Gentiles do: for they have the idea that God will give attention to them because of the number of their words.
- Basic English Bible

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as those who are of the nations: for they think they shall be heard through their much speaking.
- Darby Bible

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
- Webster's Bible

And when praying, do not use needless repetitions as the Gentiles do, for they expect to be listened to because of their multitude of words.
- Weymouth Bible

In praying, don't use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.
- World English Bible

But in preiyng nyle yee speke myche, as hethene men doon, for thei gessen that thei ben herd in her myche speche.
- Wycliffe Bible

`And -- praying -- ye may not use vain repetitions like the nations, for they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard,
- Youngs Literal Bible

Wesley's Notes for Matthew 6:7

6:7 Use not vain repetitions - To repeat any words without meaning them, is certainly a vain repetition. Therefore we should be extremely careful in all our prayers to mean what we say; and to say only what we mean from the bottom of our hearts. The vain and heathenish repetitions which we are here warned against, are most dangerous, and yet very common; which is a principal cause why so many, who still profess religion, are a disgrace to it. Indeed all the words in the world are not equivalent to one holy desire. And the very best prayers are but vain repetitions, if they are not the language of the heart.