(1) The Ten Commandments.
Hear the commandments
which God has given to his people,
and examine your hearts.
I am the Lord your God:
You shall have no other gods
but me.
You shall not make for
yourself any idol.
You shall not dishonour
the name of the Lord your God.
Remember the Sabbath and keep
it holy,
Honour your father and
mother.
You shall not commit murder.
You shall not commit
adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false
witness
against your neighbour.
You shall not covet anything
which
belongs to your neighbour.
(2) The summary of the law.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said:
The first commandment is
this:
‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our
God is the only Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart, with all your soul, with
all your mind, and with all your strength.’
The second is this:
‘Love your neighbour as
yourself.’
There
is no commandment greater than these. On these two commandments hang all the
law and the prophets.
(3) Life in the Spirit.
Let
us hear the call of the apostle Paul, to walk by the Spirit and so not gratify
the desires of the sinful nature: ‘The works of the flesh are obvious: sexual
immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord,
jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness,
orgies and things like these. Those who do such things will not inherit the
kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is: Love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. For those who
belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.’
(4) The beatitudes.
Let us hear the Lord’s
blessing on those who follow him.
Blessed are the poor in
spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
Blessed are those who
mourn,
for they shall be
comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the
earth.
Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst after righteousness,
for they shall be
satisfied.
Blessed are the
merciful,
for they shall obtain
mercy.
Blessed are the pure in
heart,
for they shall see
God.
Blessed are the
peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of
God.
Blessed
are those who suffer persecution for righteousness' sake, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven.
(5) Us and our children.
Hear
O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all
you heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments
that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your
children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the
road, when you lie down and when you get up.