The commandments guide our love of God and neighbor. The list below uses Catholic numbering and short explanatory summaries; it is not a quotation of a particular Bible translation. Read Exodus 20:1–17 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21 for the biblical passages.
Worship God alone
Give God first place. Do not make possessions, success, or power the ultimate purpose of life.
Honor God’s name
Speak of God with reverence and do not use his name to deceive or harm.
Keep the Lord’s Day holy
Make room for worship, rest, and the needs of others. For Catholics, Sunday is centered on the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection.
Honor your father and mother
Respect family responsibilities and rightful authority. Adults also owe children care, protection, and a good example.
Do not kill
Respect human life and dignity. Reject deliberate harm and cultivate peace.
Do not commit adultery
Honor marriage and live sexuality with chastity, faithfulness, and respect for persons.
Do not steal
Respect what belongs to others, act justly in work and exchange, and repair theft or fraud.
Do not bear false witness
Tell the truth and protect others from lies, slander, and unjust damage to their reputation.
Do not covet your neighbor’s spouse
Practice purity of heart and refuse to treat people as objects to possess.
Do not covet your neighbor’s goods
Resist envy and greed. Learn gratitude and generosity.
From knowing to living
Choose one area in which love needs to become more concrete. Consider a fair payment, a truthful conversation, time set aside for Mass, or a needed act of care. The commandments belong within the whole Christian call to love.
Use the adult examination of conscience · Prepare with a child
Scripture background: Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. Different Christian traditions sometimes number the same biblical material differently.