Duty to our Neighbor

Verse 1

Thy Sire, and her who brought thee forth, With all thy mind and might, Fear, love and serve; so shall thy days Be numerous, calm, and bright.

Verse 2

The blood of man thou shalt not shed, Its voice will pierce the sky, And thou by the just laws of heaven For the dire crime shall die.

Verse 3

To thine own couch thou shalt not take A wife but her thine own: Vast is the guilt, and on thine head Heaven darts its vengeance down.

Verse 4

Thou shalt not, or from friend or foe, Take aught by force or stealth; Thy goods, thy stores must grow from right Or God will curse thy wealth.

Verse 5

No man shalt thou by a false charge, Or crush or brand with shame: Dear as thine own, so wills thy God, Must be his life and name.

Verse 6

Thy soul one wish shall not let loose For that which is not thine; Live in thy lot, or small or great, For God has drawn the line.

Verse 7

O may that God, who gave these laws, Write them on every heart, That all may feel their living power, Nor from his paths depart!