Study Desk

Do not bow down to any idol or worship it, for I am the Lord your God and I tolerate no rivals. I bring punishment on those who hate me and on their descendants down to the third and fourth generation.

"‘Do not use my name for evil purposes, for I, the Lord your God, will punish anyone who misuses my name.

"‘Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy, as I, the Lord your God, have commanded you.

Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and that I, the Lord your God, rescued you by my great power and strength. That is why I command you to observe the Sabbath.

"‘Respect your father and your mother, as I, the Lord your God, command you, so that all may go well with you and so that you may live a long time in the land that I am giving you.

and said, ‘The Lord our God showed us his greatness and his glory when we heard him speak from the fire! Today we have seen that it is possible for people to continue to live, even though God has spoken to them.

But why should we risk death again? That terrible fire will destroy us. We are sure to die if we hear the Lord our God speak again.

Has any human being ever lived after hearing the living God speak from a fire?

Go back, Moses, and listen to everything that the Lord our God says. Then return and tell us what he said to you. We will listen and obey.'

"People of Israel, be sure that you do everything that the Lord your God has commanded you. Do not disobey any of his laws.

"These are all the laws that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. Obey them in the land that you are about to enter and occupy.

As long as you live, you and your descendants are to honor the Lord your God and obey all his laws that I am giving you, so that you may live in that land a long time.

Listen to them, people of Israel, and obey them! Then all will go well with you, and you will become a mighty nation and live in that rich and fertile land, just as the Lord , the God of our ancestors, has promised.

"Israel, remember this! The Lord —and the Lord alone—is our God.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

"Just as the Lord your God promised your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, he will give you a land with large and prosperous cities which you did not build.

Honor the Lord your God, worship only him, and make your promises in his name alone.

If you do worship other gods, the Lord 's anger will come against you like fire and will destroy you completely, because the Lord your God, who is present with you, tolerates no rivals.

"Do not put the Lord your God to the test, as you did at Massah.

"In times to come your children will ask you, ‘Why did the Lord our God command us to obey all these laws?'