What are the Commandments?

The question: 'What are the commandments?' is a conundrum.  On this page we have a simple answer, a modern answer, and also the hillbilly answer.

• What are the Commandments?
• A Modern Version of The 10 Commandments
• The Hillbilly 10 Commandments

What are the Commandments - Factual Answer

Few people know what are the Commandments, still fewer obey them.  Here is an English translation of the original 10 commandments that God gave to Moses on Mount Horab.

1. I am the Lord your God; you shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol.
3. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of your God.
4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
5. Honour your father and mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
10. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbour.

Sources: The Bible, Exodus chapter 20 verses 2-17, also chapter 34 verses 11-27.  There are other matching references in Deuteronomy chapter 5 verses 6-21.

A Modern Version of The 10 Commandments

Compared with modern legislation, or even the small print in any contract, the 10 commandments are crystal clear.  Nevertheless, they benefit from modern treatment especially for those who, while less than fully committed to modern religious teachings, feel the 10 commandments have innate worth.

1. You should not worry, for worry is the most unproductive of all human activities.
2. You should not be fearful, for most of the things we fear never come to pass.
3. You should not cross bridges before you come to them, for no one yet has succeeded in accomplishing this.
4. You should face each problem as it comes. You can only handle one at a time anyway.
5. You should not take problems to bed with you, for they make very poor bedfellows.
6. You should not borrow other people's problems. They can better care for them than you can.
7. You should not try to relive yesterday for good or ill, it is forever gone. Concentrate on what is happening in your life and be happy now!
8. You should be a good listener, for only when you listen do you hear ideas different from your own. It is hard to learn something new when you are talking, and some people do know more than you do.
9. You should not become "bogged down" by frustration, for 90% of it is rooted in self-pity and will only interfere with positive action.
10. You should count thy blessings, never overlooking the small ones, for a lot of small blessings add up to a big one.

• See our short moral stories.

The Hillbilly 10 Commandments

No page would be complete without a humorous take on 'What are the Commandments?'. Here is a Hillbilly view on life's mandates.

1. Just one God
2. Put nothin' before God
3. Watch yer mouth
4. Git yourself to Sunday meetin'
5. Honor yer Ma & Pa
6. No killin'
7. No foolin' around with another fellow's gal
8. Don't take what ain't yers
9. No tellin' tales or gossipin'
10. Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff

Seems very reasonable say Will and Guy. Footnote: Please send us answer to the question: What Are The Commandments?