The Ten Commandments

1. You shall have no other gods.

   What does this mean? We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord, your god in vain.

   What does this mean? We should fear and love God, so that we do not curse, swear, practice witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.

3. You shall keep the day of rest holy.

   What does this mean? We should fear and love God, so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.

4. Honor your father and your mother, that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.

   What does this mean? We should fear and love God, so that we do not despise our parents and superiors, nor provoke them to anger, but honor, serve, obey, love, and esteem them.

5. You shall not murder.

   What does this mean? We should fear and love God, so that we do no bodily harm to our neighbor, but help and befriend him in every need.

6. You shall not commit adultery.

   What does this mean? We should fear and love God, so that we lead a chaste and decent life in word and deed, and that husband and wife each love and honor the other.

7. You shall not steal.

   What does this mean? We should fear and love God, so that we do not take our neighbor's money or goods, nor get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his goods and means of making a living.

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

   What does this mean? We should fear and love God, so that we do not lie about, betray, or slander our neighbor, but excuse him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.

9. You shall not covet your neighbor's house.

   What does this mean? We should fear and love God, so that we do not craftily seek to gain our neighbor's inheritance or home, or to get it by a show of right, but help and serve him in keeping it.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is his.

    What does this mean? We should fear and love God, so that we do not tempt, force, or coax away from our neighbor his wife or his workers, but urge them to stay and do their duty.

  Conclusion: 


I the Lord your  God am a jealous God,


visiting the iniquity of the  fathers upon the children


to the third and fourth  generation of those who hate  Me,


and showing mercy to  thousands of those who love  me and keep my  commandments.



What does this mean?


God threatens to punish all  who transgress these commandments.


Therefore we should fear his  wrath


and do nothing against  these commandments.


But He promises grace and   every blessing to all who   keep these commandments.


Therefore we should also love   and trust in Him


and faithfully do  according to His commandments.