Matthew 5:23–24
Be reconciled with your brother before bringing your offering
Study it word by word23So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
In its context
21“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to the judgment.’
22But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to the judgment; and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘Fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
…
25Come to terms quickly with your opponent while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
26Truly I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.
Its words in the original
- προσφέρῃςprospherēis· offer, bring
Offer, bring, present.
- δῶρόνdōron· gift
Gift, offering.
- θυσιαστήριονthysiastērion· altar
Altar.
- κἀκεῖkakei· and there
And there.
- μνησθῇςmnēsthēis· remember
Remember.
- ἀδελφόςadelphos· brother
Brother. Also a close relative, a fellow countryman and, among believers, a brother in the faith.
- ἔχειechei· have
Have, possess, hold.
- ἄφεςaphes· let go, forgive
Leave, let go, allow; said of sins and debts, forgive.
- ἔμπροσθενemprosthen· before, in front of
In front of, before.
- ὕπαγεhypage· go away
Go away, leave; "go!".
- πρῶτονprōton· first
First, foremost.
- διαλλάγηθιdiallagēthi· be reconciled
Be reconciled, make peace with someone.
- τότεtote· then
Then, at that time.
- ἐλθὼνelthōn· come, go
Come, arrive; go.