Forbidden Sex

18 The Lord told Moses ² to tell the people of Israel:

I am the Lord your God! ³ So don't follow the customs of Egypt where you used to live or those of Canaan where I am bringing you. ⁴ I am the Lord your God, and you must obey my teachings. ^5 (A) Obey them and you will live. I am the Lord.

^9 (A) When you harvest your grain, always leave some of it standing along the edges of your fields and don't pick up what falls on the ground. ¹⁰ Don't strip your grapevines clean or gather the grapes that fall off the vines. Leave them for the poor and for those foreigners who live among you. I am the Lord your God.

^11 (B) Do not steal or tell lies or cheat others.

^12 (C) Do not misuse my name by making promises you don't intend to keep. I am the Lord your God.

^13 (D) Do not steal anything or cheat anyone, and don't fail to pay your workers at the end of each day.^[a]

^14 (E) I am the Lord your God, and I command you not to make fun of the deaf or to cause a blind person to stumble.

^15 (F) Be fair, no matter who is on trial—don't favor either the poor or the rich.

¹⁶ Don't be a gossip, but never hesitate to speak up in court, especially if your testimony can save someone's life.^[b]

^17 (G) Don't hold grudges. On the other hand, it's wrong not to correct someone who needs correcting. ^18 (H) Don't be angry or try to take revenge. I am the Lord, and I command you to love others as much as you love yourself.