An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism · Martin Luther
THE TENTH COMMANDMENT.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's. _What is meant by this Commandment?_ _Ans._ We should so fear and love God as not to alienate our neighbor's wife from him, entice away his servants, nor let loose his cattle, but use our endeavors that they may remain and discharge their duty to him. _What does God declare concerning all these Commandments?_ _Ans._ He says: 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; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep my commandments. _What is meant by this declaration?_ _Ans._ God threatens to punish all those who transgress these commandments. We should, therefore, dread His displeasure, and not act contrarily to these commandments. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep them. We should, therefore, love and trust in Him, and cheerfully do what He has commanded us. _In the plain form in which it is to be taught by the head of a family._
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.