Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/195

 come, on  the  third  day,  to  the  mountain; but  that  barriers must be placed  around  it,  so  that  they  might  not  approach  too  near and die.

The third  morning  being  come,  there  was  thunder  and  lightning around  the  mountain,  and  a thick  cloud  covered  its  top. Smoke mixed  with  fire was  seen  to  ascend,  the  mountain  rocked and trembled,  while  a trumpet  sounded  very  loud,  and  the  people below on  the  plain  feared  exceedingly. Then was  heard  the voice of  the  Lord, speaking  from  the  cloud  that  covered  the mountain, saying:

I. I am  the  Lord  thy  God. Thou shalt  not  have  strange gods before  Me. Thou shalt  not  make  to  thyself  a graven thing; nor  the  likeness  of  anything;  thou  shalt  not adore them,  nor  serve  them.

II. Thou shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy  God in vain.

III. Remember that  thou  keep  holy  the  Sabbath-day.

IV. Honour thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thou  mayest  be long-lived  upon  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God  will give thee.

V. Thou  shalt  not  kill.

VI. Thou shalt  not  commit  adultery.

VII. Thou shalt  not  steal.

VIII. Thou shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against  thy  neighbour.

IX. Thou shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour  s wife.

X. Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour’s  goods.

The people,  trembling  and  afraid  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain, cried  out  to  Moses:  “Speak  thou  to  us,  and  we  will  hear; let not  the  Lord  speak  to  us,  lest  we  die.”  Moses  told  them that the  Lord  had  come  down  to  instil  fear  into  their  hearts,  that they might  not  sin.