The Ten Commandments · piece 8 of 26
The Eighth Commandment
From Luther’s Small Catechism, 1529
Practice mode shows the first letter of each word. Say the line, then tap it to check.
You must not tell lies about your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)
What does this mean?
We must fear and love God, so that we will not deceive by lying, betraying, slandering or ruining our neighbor's reputation, but will defend him, say good things about him, and see the best side of everything he does.
In plain words
Do not lie about other people, betray them, or damage their reputation. Your reputation is what others think of you. Instead, stand up for your neighbour and say good things about them. Explain what they do in the kindest true way you can.
Our summary of Luther’s explanation, for reading after his words, not instead of them.
Where Jesus says it
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Luke 6:37 Jesus tells his followers not to judge or condemn other people.
Read Luke 6:37
37 Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Translated by Robert E. Smith for Project Wittenberg (revised 2004) and placed in the public domain by the translator. How we checked it, and the whole Catechism on one page