Matthew 6:33 KJV
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.King James Version
The same verse in modern English
But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.Matthew 6:33, World English Bible (WEB)
KJV and WEB compared
The KJV says “seek ye first the kingdom of God”; the WEB says “seek first God’s Kingdom.” The KJV’s ye is plural, a word to everyone listening, not to one disciple. At the end the KJV promises that these things “shall be added unto you,” the WEB that they “will be given to you as well.” The Greek verb means to add, and the WEB’s as well keeps that sense: daily needs come in addition, not instead.
Sitting with this verse
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has just named the worries of every household: what to eat, what to drink, what to wear. “All these things” means those daily needs, not luxuries. The key word is “first”: God's reign and his righteousness set the order for everything else. The next verse lets tomorrow carry its own worries. Before your list for today takes over, give the first few minutes to God and ask what his kingdom asks of you.
Older words in this verse
- ye
- you (more than one)
- unto
- to
A verse a day for seven days, by email
Join Seven Days of Stillness: a short email each day for a week, each with a Bible verse and a quiet thought for your time with God. Free, and you can stop at any time.