King James Bible
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Jesus commands his followers to actively display their transformed character publicly, building on his metaphor of believers as "light of the world." The imperative "let shine" suggests removing obstacles that would hide one's faith rather than manufacturing artificial displays. The purpose of visible faith is concrete acts of righteousness that others can observe and evaluate. In Matthew's context, these "good works" contrast with the hypocritical displays of the Pharisees, emphasizing genuine deeds flowing from inner transformation. The ultimate goal redirects all praise away from the believer to God himself, completing the verse's movement from personal conduct to divine honor. This echoes Jewish prayers that conclude with glorifying God, showing how righteous living serves as worship that draws others to acknowledge God's character.