These are some of the laws of God. Also known as the ten commandments.
These rules, if
followed, would give us the perfect, peaceful earth that we all wish for.
If you look at His rules this way you'll understand that they are really more of
a gift than they are a burden like some of our governments laws and rules
are.
1. No other gods, only me.
2. No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever,
whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don't bow down to them and don't
serve them because I am God,
your God, and I'm a most jealous God, punishing the children for any sins their
parents pass on to them to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation of
those who hate me. But I'm unswervingly loyal to the thousands who love me and
keep my commandments.
3. No using the name of God,
your God, in curses or silly banter;
God won't put up with the
irreverent use of his name.
4. Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do
everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to
God, your God. Don't do any
work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your maid,
nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your town. For in six
days God made Heaven, Earth, and
sea, and everything in them; he rested on the seventh day. Therefore
God blessed the Sabbath day; he set
it apart as a holy day.
5. Honor your father and mother so that you'll live a long time in the
land that God, your God, is giving you.
6. No murder.
7. No adultery.
8. No stealing.
9. No lies about your neighbor.
10. No lusting after your neighbor's house—or wife or servant or maid or
ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that is your neighbor's.
Exodus 20:3-17
The
Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by
Eugene H. Peterson