At work with God – Day 3

₁₁“Do not steal or cheat or lie.

₃₀People don't despise a thief if he steals food when he is hungry; ₃₁yet if he is caught, he must pay back seven times more — he must give up everything he has. ₃₂But a man who commits adultery hasn't any sense. He is just destroying himself. ₃₃He will be dishonoured and beaten up; he will be permanently disgraced.

₃Then he said to me, “On it is written the curse that is to go out over the whole land. On one side of the scroll it says that every thief will be removed from the land; and on the other side it says that everyone who tells lies under oath will also be taken away. ₄The LORD Almighty says that he will send this curse out, and it will enter the house of every thief and the house of everyone who tells lies under oath. It will remain in their houses and leave them in ruins.”

₅The LORD Almighty says, “I will appear among you to judge, and I will testify at once against those who practise magic, against adulterers, against those who give false testimony, those who cheat employees out of their wages, and those who take advantage of widows, orphans, and foreigners — against all who do not respect me.

₂₈Those who used to rob must stop robbing and start working, in order to earn an honest living for themselves and to be able to help the poor.

₉Slaves are to submit to their masters and please them in all things. They must not answer them back ₁₀or steal from them. Instead, they must show that they are always good and faithful, so as to bring credit to the teaching about God our Saviour in all they do.