PRACTICAL HOLINESS

LEVITICUS 19:1-3; 11-18 (MSG)

"God spoke to Moses: 'Speak to the congregation of Israel. Tell them, Be holy because I, God, your God, am holy.

Every one of you must respect his mother and father.

Keep my Sabbaths. I am God, your God.

Don't steal.

Don't lie.

Don't deceive anyone.

Don't swear falsely using my name, violating the name of your God. I am
God.

Don't exploit your friend or rob him.

Don't hold back the wages of a hired hand overnight.

Don't curse the deaf; don't put a stumbling block in front of the blind; fear your God. I am God.

Don't pervert justice. Don't show favoritism to either the poor or the great. Judge on the basis of what is right.

Don't spread gossip and rumors.

Don't just stand by when your neighbor's life is in danger. I am God.

Don't secretly hate your neighbor. If you have something against him, get it out into the open; otherwise you are an accomplice in his guilt.

Don't seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people.

Love your neighbor as yourself. I am God.'"