Study Desk

‘You must keep the Sabbath a special day like the Lord your God commanded.

but the seventh day is a day of rest in honor of the Lord your God. So on that day no one should work—not you, your sons and daughters, foreigners living in your cities or your men and women slaves. Not even your cattle, donkeys, and other animals should do any work! Your slaves should be able to rest just as you do.

Don't forget that you were slaves in the land of Egypt. The Lord your God brought you out of Egypt with his great power and made you free. That is why the Lord your God commands you to always make the Sabbath a special day.

‘You must honor your father and your mother. The Lord your God has commanded you to do this. If you follow this command, you will live a long time, and everything will go well for you in the land that the Lord your God gives you.

They said, ‘The Lord our God has shown us his Glory and his greatness! We heard him speak from the fire. We have seen today that it is possible to continue living even after God speaks to us.

But if we hear the Lord our God speak to us again, surely we will die! That terrible fire will destroy us. We don't want to die.

No one has ever heard the living God speak from the fire like we have and still lived!

Moses, you go near and hear everything the Lord our God says. Then tell us everything the Lord tells you. We will listen to you, and we will do everything you say.'

"So you people must be careful to do everything the Lord commanded you. Do not stop following God!

You must live the way the Lord your God commanded you. Then you will continue to live, and everything will be fine with you. You will live a long life in the land that will belong to you.

"These are the commands, the laws, and the rules that the Lord your God told me to teach you. Obey these laws in the land that you are entering to live in.

You and your descendants must respect the Lord your God as long as you live. You must obey all his laws and commands that I give you. If you do this, you will have a long life in that new land.

Israelites, listen carefully and obey these laws. Then everything will be fine with you. You will have many children, and you will get the land filled with many good things—just as the Lord , the God of your ancestors, promised.

"Listen, people of Israel! The Lord is our God. The Lord is the only God.

You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

"The Lord your God made a promise to your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He promised to give you this land, and he will give it to you. He will give you great and rich cities that you did not build.

Respect the Lord your God and serve only him. You must use only his name to make promises.

The Lord your God is always with you, and he hates for his people to worship other gods! So if you follow those other gods, the Lord will become very angry with you. He will destroy you from the face of the earth.

"You must not test the Lord your God like you tested him at Massah.

You must be sure to obey the commands of the Lord your God. You must follow all the teachings and laws he has given you.