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Leviticus 19

 





In the midst of the Israelite camp, the people gathered to hear the words of the Lord through Moses, words that would guide them in living lives of holiness and justice.

Moses spoke to the people, saying, "Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy. Show reverence for your parents and keep the Sabbath day holy. Do not turn to idols or practice divination, for I am the Lord who brought you out of Egypt."

He continued, "You shall not steal, lie, or deceive one another. You must not cheat your neighbor or take advantage of the poor or the foreigner living among you."

The people listened closely as Moses gave further instructions: "Do not hold hatred in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly but do not seek revenge or bear a grudge."

"Love your neighbor as yourself," Moses declared, "I am the Lord."

The people were reminded to be fair in their dealings, to leave some of their harvest for the poor and the stranger, and to be honest in measurements and weights.

Moses also instructed them to show kindness to the disabled and to keep their communities clean and pure, avoiding all forms of injustice and cruelty.

Through these commands, the Israelites understood that holiness was not just about rituals but about everyday actions—how they treated others, cared for the vulnerable, and honored God in their relationships.

And so, the people committed themselves to live by these words, striving to reflect God's holiness in all they did.


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