The Ten Commandments

Exodus 20

The Lord speaks the ten commandments to Israel from the mountain, forbidding other gods, idols, and misuse of his name, commanding the sabbath and honor of parents, and prohibiting murder, adultery, theft, false witness, and covetousness. Terrified by the thunder and fire, the people ask Moses to speak to them instead of God, and the Lord further instructs how an altar is to be made.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonTHEN the Lord spoke all these words saying:

BrentonAnd the Lord spoke all these words, saying:

GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πάντας τοὺς λόγους τούτους, λέγων,

KJVAnd God spake all these words, saying,

JPSAnd God spoke all these words, saying:

ThomsonI am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt—out of the house of bondage.

BrentonI am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Greekἐγώ εἰμι Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου, ὅστις ἐξήγαγόν σε ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου, ἐξ οἴκου δουλείας.

KJVI am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

JPSI am the LORD thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

ThomsonThou shalt have no other gods besides Me.

BrentonThou shalt have no other gods beside me.

GreekΟὐκ ἔσονταί σοι θεοὶ ἕτεροι πλὴν ἐμοῦ.

KJVThou shalt have no other gods before me.

JPSThou shalt have no other gods before Me.

ThomsonThou shalt not make for thyself an idol, nor the likeness of anything, which is in the heaven above, or in the earth below, or in the waters under the earth;

BrentonThou shalt not make to thyself an idol, nor likeness of anything, whatever things are in the heaven above, and whatever are in the earth beneath, and whatever are in the waters under the earth.

GreekΟὐ ποιήσεις σεαυτῷ εἴδωλον, οὐδὲ παντὸς ὁμοίωμα, ὅσα ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ ἄνω, καὶ ὅσα ἐν τῇ γῇ κάτω, καὶ ὅσα ἐν τοῖς ὕδασιν ὑποκάτω τῆς γῆς.

KJVThou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

JPSThou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any manner of likeness, of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;

Thomsonthou shalt not worship them; nor serve them; for I, the Lord thy God, am a zealous God, retributing to them who hate Me the sins of fathers upon children to the third and fourth generation;

BrentonThou shalt not bow down to them, nor serve them; for I am the Lord thy God, a jealous God, recompensing the sins of the fathers upon the children, to the third and fourth generation to them that hate me,

GreekΟὐ προσκυνήσεις αὐτοῖς, οὐδὲ μὴ λατρεύσεις αὐτοῖς· ἐγὼ γάρ εἰμι Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου, Θεὸς ζηλωτὴς, ἀποδιδοὺς ἁμαρτίας πατέρων ἐπὶ τέκνα, ἕως τρίτης καὶ τετάρτης γενεᾶς τοῖς μισοῦσί με,

KJVThou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

JPSthou shalt not bow down unto them, nor serve them; for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me;

Thomsonbut shewing mercy for thousands [of generations] to them who love Me and keep My commandments.

Brentonand bestowing mercy on them that love me to thousands of them, and on them that keep my commandments.

Greekκαὶ ποιῶν ἔλεος εἰς χιλιάδας τοῖς ἀγαπῶσί με, καὶ τοῖς φυλάσσουσι τὰ προστάγματά μου.

KJVAnd shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

JPSand showing mercy unto the thousandth generation of them that love Me and keep My commandments.

ThomsonThou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord thy God will not hold him guiltless who taketh His name in vain.

BrentonThou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord thy God will not acquit him that takes his name in vain.

GreekΟὐ λήψῃ τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ σου ἐπὶ ματαίῳ· οὐ γὰρ μὴ καθαρίσῃ Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου τὸν λαμβάνοντα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ ματαίῳ.

KJVThou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

JPSThou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.

ThomsonRemember the day of the sabbaths to hallow it.

BrentonRemember the sabbath day to keep it holy.

GreekΜνήσθητι τὴν ἡμέραν τῶν σαββάτων ἁγιάζειν αὐτήν.

KJVRemember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

JPSRemember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

ThomsonSix days labour and do all thy works;

BrentonSix days thou shalt labour, and shalt perform all thy work.

GreekἛξ ἡμέρας ἐργᾷ, καὶ ποιήσεις πάντα τὰ ἔργα σου.

KJVSix days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

JPSSix days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work;

Thomsonbut on the seventh day are sabbaths to the Lord thy God; On it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy ox, nor thy ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor the stranger who sojourneth with thee;

BrentonBut on the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God; on it thou shalt do no work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy servant nor thy maidservant, thine ox nor thine ass, nor any cattle of thine, nor the stranger that sojourns with thee.

GreekΤῇ δὲ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ, σάββατα Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ σου· οὐ ποιήσεις ἐν αὐτῇ πᾶν ἔργον σὺ, καὶ ὁ υἱός σου, καὶ ἡ θυγάτηρ σου, ὁ παῖς σου, καὶ ἡ παιδίσκη σου, ὁ βοῦς σου, καὶ τὸ ὑποζύγιόν σου, καὶ πᾶν κτῆνός σου, καὶ ὁ προσήλυτος ὁ παροικῶν ἐν σοί.

KJVBut the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

JPSbut the seventh day is a sabbath unto the LORD thy God, in it thou shalt not do any manner of work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates;

Thomsonfor in six days the Lord made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that are in them, and rested on the seventh day: therefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and hallowed it.

BrentonFor in six days the Lord made the heaven and the earth, and the sea and all things in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.

GreekἘν γὰρ ἓξ ἡμέραις ἐποίησε Κύριος τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ τὴν θὰλασσαν καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐν αὐτοῖς, καὶ κατέπαυσε τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ· διὰ τοῦτο εὐλόγησε Κύριος τὴν ἡμέραν τὴν ἑβδόμην, καὶ ἡγίασεν αὐτήν.

KJVFor in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

JPSfor in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested on the seventh day; wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

ThomsonHonour thy father and thy mother that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayst live long in that good land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

BrentonHonour thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long on the good land, which the Lord thy God gives to thee.

GreekΤίμα τὸν πατέρα σου, καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου, ἵνα εὖ σοι γένηται, καὶ ἵνα μακροχρόνιος γένῃ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς τῆς ἀγαθῆς, ἧς Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου δίδωσί σοι.

KJVHonour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

JPSHonour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

ThomsonThou shalt not commit murder.

BrentonThou shalt not commit adultery.

GreekΟὐ μοιχεύσεις.

KJVThou shalt not commit adultery.

JPS—

ThomsonThou shalt not commit adultery.

BrentonThou shalt not steal.

GreekΟὐ κλέψεις.

KJVThou shalt not steal.

JPS—

ThomsonThou shalt not steal.

BrentonThou shalt not kill.

GreekΟὐ φονεύσεις.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonThou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

BrentonThou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

GreekΟὐ ψευδομαρτυρήσεις κατὰ τοῦ πλησίον σου μαρτυρίαν ψευδῆ.

KJVThou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

JPSThou shalt not murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

ThomsonThou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, nor his field, nor his man servant, nor his maid servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any of his cattle, nor anything belonging to thy neighbour.

BrentonThou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house; nor his field, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any of his cattle, nor whatever belongs to thy neighbour.

GreekΟὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις τὴν γυναῖκα τοῦ πλησίον σου· οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις τὴν οἰκίαν τοῦ πλησίον σου, οὔτε τὸν ἀγρὸν αὐτοῦ, οὔτε τὸν παῖδα αὐτοῦ, οὔτε τὴν παιδίσκην αὐτοῦ, οὔτε τοῦ βοὸς αὐτοῦ, οὔτε τοῦ ὑποζυγίου αὐτοῦ, οὔτε παντὸς κτήνους αὐτοῦ, οὔτε ὅσα τῷ πλησίον σου ἐστί.

KJVThou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

JPSThou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

ThomsonAnd all the people looked towards the thunder and the lightnings and the sound of the trumpet and the mount which was smoking; and all the people being struck with terror stood at a distance.

BrentonAnd all the people perceived the thundering, and the flashes, and the voice of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and all the people feared and stood afar off,

GreekΚαὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἑώρα τὴν φωνὴν, καὶ τὰς λαμπάδας, καὶ τὴν φωνὴν τῆς σάλπιγγος, καὶ τὸ ὄρος τὸ καπνίζον· φοβηθέντες δὲ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἔστησαν μακρόθεν.

KJVAnd all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.

JPSAnd all the people perceived the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the voice of the horn, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled, and stood afar off.

ThomsonAnd they said to Moses, Speak thou to us: and let not God speak to us lest we die.

Brentonand said to Moses, Speak thou to us, and let not God speak to us, lest we die.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λάλησον σὺ ἡμῖν, καὶ μὴ λαλείτω πρὸς ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς, μὴ ἀποθάνωμεν.

KJVAnd they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

JPSAnd they said unto Moses: ‘Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.’

ThomsonWhereupon Moses said to them, Take courage; for God is come to you to prove you, that the dread of him may be in you, that you may not sin.

BrentonAnd Moses says to them, Be of good courage, for God is come to you to try you, that his fear may be among you, that ye sin not.

GreekΚαὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Μωυσῆς, θαρσεῖτε· ἕνεκεν γὰρ τοῦ πειράσαι ὑμᾶς παρεγενήθη ὁ Θεὸς πρὸς ὑμᾶς, ὅπως ἂν γένηται ὁ φόβος αὐτοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν, ἵνα μὴ ἁμαρτάνητε.

KJVAnd Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

JPSAnd Moses said unto the people: ‘Fear not; for God is come to prove you, and that His fear may be before you, that ye sin not.’

ThomsonThen the people stood afar off, and Moses went into the thick darkness, where God was.

BrentonAnd the people stood afar off, and Moses went into the darkness where God was.

GreekΕἱστήκει δὲ ὁ λαὸς μακρόθεν, Μωυσῆς δὲ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν γνόφον, οὗ ἦν ὁ Θεός.

KJVAnd the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.

JPSAnd the people stood afar off; but Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.

ThomsonAnd the Lord said to Moses, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob and announce to the children of Israel, You have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven.

BrentonAnd the Lord said to Moses, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and thou shalt report it to the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven.

GreekΕἶπε δὲ Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, τάδε ἐρεῖς τῷ οἴκῳ Ἰακὼβ, καὶ ἀναγγελεῖς τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραήλ· ὑμεῖς ἑωράκατε, ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ λελάληκα πρὸς ὑμᾶς.

KJVAnd the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.

JPSAnd the LORD said unto Moses: Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel: Ye yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.

ThomsonYou shall not make for yourselves gods of silver, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold.

BrentonYe shall not make to yourselves gods of silver, and gods of gold ye shall not make to yourselves.

GreekΟὐ ποιήσετε ὑμῖν αὐτοῖς θεοὺς ἀργυροῦς, καὶ θεοὺς χρυσοῦς οὐ ποιήσετε ὑμῖν αὑτοῖς.

KJVYe shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.

JPSYe shall not make with Me—gods of silver, or gods of gold, ye shall not make unto you.

ThomsonAn altar of earth you shall make for Me, and sacrifice thereon your whole burnt offerings and your offerings of thanksgiving, both your sheep and your young bulls in every place where I record My name. And I will come to thee and bless thee.

BrentonYe shall make to me an altar of earth; and upon it ye shall sacrifice your whole burnt-offerings, and your peace-offerings, and your sheep and your calves in every place, where I shall record my name; and I will come to thee and bless thee.

GreekΘυσιαστήριον ἐκ γῆς ποιήσετέ μοι, καὶ θύσετε ἐπʼ αὐτοῦ τὰ ὁλοκαυτώματα ὑμῶν, καὶ τὰ σωτήρια ὑμῶν, καὶ τὰ πρόβατα, καὶ τοὺς μόσχους ὑμῶν ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ, οὗ ἐὰν ἐπονομάσω τὸ ὄνομά μου ἐκεῖ, καὶ ἥξω πρὸς σὲ, καὶ εὐλογήσω σε.

KJVAn altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

JPSAn altar of earth thou shalt make unto Me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt-offerings, and thy peace-offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be mentioned I will come unto thee and bless thee.

ThomsonAnd if thou makest for Me an altar of stones; thou shalt not build it of hewn stones: for thou hast put thy workmanship on them and they are polluted.

BrentonAnd if thou wilt make to me an altar of stones, thou shalt not build them hewn stones; for thou hast lifted up thy tool upon them, and they are defiled.

GreekἘὰν δὲ θυσιαστήριον ἐκ λίθων ποιῇς μοι, οὐκ οἰκοδομήσεις αὐτοὺς τμητούς· τὸ γὰρ ἐγχειρίδιόν σου ἐπιβέβληκας ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς, καὶ μεμίανται.

KJVAnd if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

JPSAnd if thou make Me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones; for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast profaned it.

ThomsonThou shalt not go up to My altar by steps, that thou mayst not discover thy nakedness on it.

BrentonThou shalt not go up to my altar by steps, that thou mayest not uncover thy nakedness upon it.

GreekΟὐκ ἀναβήσῃ ἐν ἀναβαθμίσιν ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριόν μου, ὅπως ἂν μὴ ἀποκαλύψῃς τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην σου ἐπʼ αὐτοῦ.

KJVNeither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

JPSNeither shalt thou go up by steps unto Mine altar, that thy nakedness be not uncovered thereon.