Study Desk

As the blast of the ram's horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God thundered his reply.

Then God gave the people all these instructions:

"I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.

"You must not have any other god but me.

You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.

"You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.

but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you.

"Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

And they said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen. But don't let God speak directly to us, or we will die!"

"Don't be afraid," Moses answered them, "for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!"

As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.

If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door or doorpost and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will serve his master for life.

But if it was simply an accident permitted by God, I will appoint a place of refuge where the slayer can run for safety.

But if the thief is not caught, the neighbor must appear before God, who will determine if he stole the property.

"Suppose there is a dispute between two people who both claim to own a particular ox, donkey, sheep, article of clothing, or any lost property. Both parties must come before God, and the person whom God declares guilty must pay double compensation to the other.

"Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than the Lord must be destroyed.

"You must not dishonor God or curse any of your rulers.

"As you harvest your crops, bring the very best of the first harvest to the house of the Lord your God. "You must not cook a young goat in its mother's milk.

"You must serve only the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness.

There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself.