The following is a translation based on the 1531 edition of Luther's Small Catechism. It was prepared in 1960, and slightly revised in 1968, for the Boards of Parish Education of the American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church of America, and the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
The Ten Commandments
I am the Lord your God.
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT - You shall have no other Gods.
What does this mean for us? - We are to fear, love, and trust God above anything else.
THE SECOND COMMANDMENT - You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
What does this mean for us? - We are to fear and love God so that we do not use His name superstitiously, or use it to curse, swear, lie, or deceive, but call on Him In prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.
THE THIRD COMMANDMENT - Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
What does this mean for us? - WE are to fear and love God so that we do not neglect His Word and the preaching of it, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.
THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT - Honor your father and mother.
What does this mean for us? - We are to fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and others in authority, but respect, obey, love, and serve them.
THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT - You shall not kill.
What does this mean for us? - We are to fear and love God so that we do not hurt our neighbor in any way, but help him in all physical needs.
THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT - You shall not commit adultry.
What does that mean for us? - We are to fear and love God so that in matters of sex our words and conduct are pure and honorable, and husband and wife love and respect each other.
THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT - You shall not steal.
What does that mean for us? - We are to fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor's money or property, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his property and means of making a living.
THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT - You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
What does this mean for us? - We are to fear and love God so that we do not betray, slander, or lie about our neighbor, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain his actions in the kindest way.
THE NINTH COMMANDMENT - You shall not covet your neighbor's house.
What does this mean for us? - We are to fear and love God so that we do not desire to get our neighbor's possessions by scheming, or by pretending to have a right to them, but always help him keep what is his.
THE TENTH COMMANDMENT - You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his cattle, or anything that is your neighbor's.
What does this mean for us? - We are to fear and love God so that we do not tempt or coax away from our neighbor his wife or his workers, but encourage them to remain loyal.
What does God say of all these Commandments?
He says: "I, am the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love Me and keep My Commandments."
What does this mean for us? - God warns that He will punish all who break these Commandments. Therefore we are to fear His wrath and not disobey Him. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these Commandments. Therefore we are to love and trust Him, and gladly do what He commands.
By George Konig
1/7/2007
www.georgekonig.org
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