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Luther's Little Instruction Book: The Small Catechism of Martin Luther

by Martin Luther

Pages
about 15
Category
History
Language
English
Reading time
16 min at 250 wpm
Start readingThe whole book, as cards or one word at a time. 9 min at 450 wpm in Read mode.

From the opening

We must fear and love God, so that we will not use His name to curse, swear, cast a spell, lie or deceive, but will use it to call upon Him, pray to Him, praise Him and thank Him in all times of trouble.

We must fear and love God, so that we will not look down on preaching or God's Word, but consider it holy, listen to it willingly, and learn it.

You must honor your father and mother. [So that things will go well for you and you will live long on earth]. (Exodus 20:12)

We must fear and love God, so that we will neither look down on our parents or superiors nor irritate them, but will honor them, serve them, obey them, love them and value them.

We must fear and love God, so that we will neither harm nor hurt our neighbor's body, but help him and care for him when he is ill.

We must fear and love God, so that our words and actions will be clean and decent and so that everyone will love and honor their spouses.

We must fear and love God, so that we will neither take our neighbor's money or property, nor acquire it by fraud or by selling him poorly made products, but will help him improve and protect his property and career.

We must fear and love God, so that we will not deceive by lying, betraying, slandering or ruining our neighbor's reputation, but will defend him, say good things about him, and see the best side of everything he does.

We must fear and love God, so that we will not attempt to trick our neighbor out of his inheritance or house, take it by pretending to have a right to it, etc. but help him to keep & improve it.

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