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Westminster Larger Catechism

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Page 7 (The Law)   [Main Page]

Topics

Question 131: What are the duties of equals?

Answer:  The duties of equals are, to regard the dignity and worth of each other1, in giving honor to go one before another2; and to rejoice in each other’s gifts and advancement, as their own3.

1.  1Peter 2:17
2.  Rom. 12:10
3.  Rom. 12:15-16; Phil. 2:3-4

Question 132: What are the sins of equals?

Answer:  The sins of equals are, besides the neglect of the duties required1, the undervaluing of the worth2, envying the gifts3, grieving at the advancement of prosperity one of another4; and usurping preeminence one over another5.

1.  Rom. 13:8
2.  2Tim. 3:3
3.  Acts 7:9; Gal. 5:26
4.  Num. 12:2; Est. 6:12-13
5.  3John 1:9; Luke 22:24

Question 133: What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment, the more to enforce it?

Answer:  The reason annexed to the fifth commandment, in these words, That thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God gives thee1, is an express promise of long life and prosperity, as far as it shall serve for God’s glory and their own good, to all such as keep this commandment2.

1.  Exod. 20:12
2.  Deut. 5:16; 1Kings 8:25; Eph. 6:2-3

Question 134: Which is the sixth commandment?

Answer:  The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill.

Exod. 20:13

Question 135: What are the duties required in the sixth commandment?

Answer:  The duties required in the sixth commandment are, all careful studies, and lawful endeavors, to preserve the life of ourselves1 and others2 by resisting all thoughts and purposes3, subduing all passions4, and avoiding all occasions5, temptations6, and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any7; by just defense thereof against violence8, patient bearing of the hand of God9, quietness of mind10, cheerfulness of spirit11; a sober use of meat12, drink13, physic14, sleep15, labor16, and recreations17; by charitable thoughts18, love19, compassion20, meekness, gentleness, kindness21; peaceable22, mild and courteous speeches and behavior23; forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil24; comforting and succoring the distressed, and protecting and defending the innocent25.

1.  Eph. 5:28-29
2.  1Kings 18:4
3.  Jer. 26:15-16; Acts 23:12, 16-17, 21, 27
4.  Eph. 4:26-27
5.  2Sam. 2:22; Deut. 22:8
6.  Matt. 4:6-7; Prov. 1:10-11, 15-16
7.  1Sam. 24:2; 26:9-11; Gen. 37:21-22
8.  Ps. 82:4; Prov. 24:11-12; 1Sam. 14:45
9.  James 5:7-11; Heb. 12:9
10.  1Thess. 4:11; 1Peter 3:3-4; Ps. 37:8-11
11.  Prov. 17:22
12.  Prov. 25:16, 27
13.  1Tim. 5:23
14.  Isa. 38:21
15.  Ps. 127:2
16.  Eccl. 5:12; 2Thess. 3:10, 12; Prov. 16:26
17.  Eccl. 3:4, 11
18.  1Sam. 19:4-5; 22:13-14
19.  Rom. 13:10
20.  Luke 10:33-34
21.  Col. 3:12-13
22.  James 3:17
23.  1Peter 3:8-11; Prov. 15:1; Judg. 8:1-3
24.  Matt. 5:24; Eph. 4:2, 32; Rom. 12:17, 20-21
25.  1Thess. 5:14; Job 31:19-20; Matt. 25:35-36; Prov. 31:8-9

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Question 136: What are the sins forbidden in the sixth commandment?

Answer:  The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking away the life of ourselves1, or of others2, except in case of public justice3, lawful war4, or necessary defense5; the neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of preservation of life6; sinful anger7, hatred8, envy9, desire of revenge10; all excessive passions11, distracting cares12; immoderate use of meat, drink13, labor14, and recreations15; provoking words16, oppression17, quarreling18, striking, wounding119, and whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any20.

1.  Acts 16:28
2.  Gen. 9:6
3.  Num. 35:31, 33
4.  Jer. 48:10; Deut. ch. 20
5.  Exod. 22:2-3
6.  Matt. 25:42-43; James 2:15-16; Eccl. 6:1-2
7.  Matt. 5:22
8.  1John 3:15; Lev. 19:17
9.  Prov. 14:30
10.  Rom. 12:19
11.  Eph. 4:31
12.  Matt. 6:31, 34
13.  Luke 21:34; Rom. 13:13
14.  Eccl. 2:22-23; 12:12
15.  Isa. 5:12
16.  Prov. 12:18; 15:1
17.  Ezek. 18:18; Exod. 1:14
18.  Gal. 5:15; Prov. 23:29
19.  Num. 35:16-18, 21
20.  Exod. 21:18-36

Question 137: Which is the seventh commandment?

Answer:  The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Exod. 20:14

Question 138: What are the duties required in the seventh commandment?

Answer:  The duties required in the seventh commandment are, chastity in body, mind, affections1, words2, and behavior3; and the preservation of it in ourselves and others4; watchfulness over the eyes and all the senses5; temperance6, keeping of chaste company7, modesty in apparel8; marriage by those that have not the gift of continency9, conjugal love10, and cohabitation11; diligent labor in our callings12; shunning all occasions of uncleanness, and resisting temptations thereunto13.

1.  1Thess. 4:4; Job 31:1; 1Cor. 7:34
2.  Col. 4:6
3.  1Peter 2:3
4.  1Cor. 7:2, 35-36
5.  Job 31:1
6.  Acts 24:24
7.  Prov. 2:16-20
8.  1Tim. 2:9
9.  1Cor. 7:2, 9
10.  Prov. 5:19-20
11.  1Peter 3:7
12.  Prov. 31:11, 27-28
13.  Prov. 5:8; Gen. 39:8-10

Question 139: What are the sins forbidden in the seventh commandment?

Answer:  The sins forbidden in the seventh commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required1, are, adultery, fornication2, rape, incest3, sodomy, and all unnatural lusts4; all unclean imaginations, thoughts, purposes, and affections5; all corrupt or filthy communications, or listening thereunto6; wanton looks7, impudent or light behavior, immodest apparel8; prohibiting of lawful9, and dispensing with unlawful marriages10; allowing, tolerating, keeping of stews, and resorting to them11; entangling vows of single life12, undue delay of marriage13; having more wives or husbands than one at the same time14; unjust divorce15, or desertion16; idleness, gluttony, drunkenness17, unchaste company18; lascivious songs, books, pictures, dancings, stage plays19; and all other provocations to, or acts of uncleanness, either in ourselves or others20.

1.  Prov. 5:7
2.  Heb. 13:4; Gal. 5:19
3.  2Sam. 13:14; 1Cor. 5:1
4.  Rom. 1:24, 26-27; Lev. 20:15-16
5.  Matt. 5:28; 15:19; Col. 3:5
6.  Eph. 5:3-4; Prov. 7:5, 21-22
7.  Isa. 3:16; 2Peter 2:14
8.  Prov. 7:10, 13
9.  1Tim. 4:3
10.  Lev. 18:1-21; Mark 6:18; Mal. 2:11-12
11.  1Kings 15:12; 2Kings 23:7; Deut. 23:17-18; Lev. 19:29; Jer. 5:7; Prov. 7:24-27
12.  Matt. 19:10-11
13.  1Cor. 7:7-9; Gen. 38:26
14.  Mal. 2:14-15; Matt. 19:5
15.  Mal. 2:16; Matt. 5:32
16.  1Cor. 7:12-13
17.  Ezek. 16:49; Prov. 23:30-33
18.  Gen. 39:10; Prov. 5:8
19.  Eph. 5:4; Ezek. 23:14-16; Isa. 3:16; 23:15-17; Mark 6:22; Rom. 13:13; 1Peter 4:3
20.  2Kings 9:30; Jer. 4:30; Ezek. 23:40

Question 140: Which is the eighth commandment?

Answer:  The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.

Exod. 20:15

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Question 141: What are the duties required in the eighth commandment?

Answer:  The duties required in the eighth commandment are, truth, faithfulness, and justice in contracts and commerce between man and man1; rendering to everyone his due2; restitution of goods unlawfully detained from the right owners thereof3; giving and lending freely, according to our abilities, and the necessities of others4; moderation of our judgments, wills, and affections concerning worldly goods5; a provident care and study to get6, keep, use, and dispose these things which are necessary and convenient for the sustentation of our nature, and suitable to our condition7; a lawful calling8, and diligence in it9; frugality10; avoiding unnecessary lawsuits11 and suretyship, or other like engagements12; and an endeavor, by all just and lawful means, to procure, preserve, and further the wealth and outward estate of others, as well as our own13.

1.  Ps. 15:2, 4; Zech. 7:4, 10; 8:16-17
2.  Rom. 13:7
3.  Lev. 6:2-5; Luke 19:8
4.  Luke 6:30, 38; 1John 3:17; Eph. 4:28; Gal. 6:10
5.  1Tim. 6:6-9; Gal. 6:14
6.  1Tim. 5:8
7.  Prov. 27:23-27; Eccl. 2:24; 3:12-13; 1Tim. 6:17-18; Isa. 38:1; Matt. 11:8
8.  1Cor. 7:20; Gen. 2:15, 3:19
9.  Eph. 4:28; Prov. 10:4
10.  John 6:12; Prov. 21:20
11.  1Cor. 6:1-9
12.  Prov. 6:1-6; 11:15
13.  Lev. 25:35; Deut. 22:1-4; Exod. 23:4-5; Gen. 47:14, 20; Phil. 2:4, Matt. 22:39

Question 142: What are the sins forbidden in the eighth commandment?

Answer:  The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required1, are, theft2, robbery3, man stealing4, and receiving anything that is stolen5; fraudulent dealing6, false weights and measures7, removing land marks8, injustice and unfaithfulness in contracts between man and man9, or in matters of trust10; oppression11, extortion12, usury13, bribery14, vexatious lawsuits15, unjust enclosures and depopulations16; engrossing commodities to enhance the price17; unlawful callings18, and all other unjust or sinful ways of taking or withholding from our neighbor what belongs to him, or of enriching ourselves19; covetousness20; inordinate prizing and affecting worldly goods21; distrustful and distracting cares and studies in getting, keeping, and using them22; envying at the prosperity of others23; as likewise idleness24, prodigality, wasteful gaming; and all other ways whereby we do unduly prejudice our own outward estate25, and defrauding ourselves of the due use and comfort of that estate which God has given us26.

1.  James 2:15-16; 1John 3:17
2.  Eph. 4:28; Ps. 42:10
3.  Ps. 62:10
4.  1Tim. 1:10
5.  Prov. 29:24; Ps. 1:18
6.  1Thess. 4:6
7.  Prov. 11:1; 20:10
8.  Deut. 19:14; Prov. 23:10
9.  Amos 8:5; Ps. 37:21
10.  Luke 16:10-12
11.  Ezek. 22:29; Lev. 25:17
12.  Matt. 23:25; Ezek. 22:12
13.  Ps. 15:5
14.  Job 15:34
15.  1Cor. 6:6-8; Prov. 3:29-30
16.  Isa. 5:8; Micah 2:2
17.  Prov. 11:26
18.  Acts 19:19, 24-25
19.  Job. 20:19; James 5:4; Prov. 21:6
20.  Luke 12:15
21.  1Tim. 6:5; Col. 3:2; Prov. 23:5; Ps. 42:10
22.  Matt. 6:25, 31, 34, Eccl. 5:12
23.  Ps. 37:1, 7; 73:3
24.  2Thess. 3:11; Prov. 18:9
25.  Prov. 21:17; 23:20-21; 28:19
26.  Eccl. 4:8; 6:2; 1Tim. 5:8

Question 143: Which is the ninth commandment?

Answer:  The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Exod. 20:16

Question 144: What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?

Answer:  The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man1, and the good name of our neighbor, as well as our own2; appearing and standing for the truth3; and from the heart4, sincerely5, freely6, clearly7, and fully8, speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice9, and in all other things whatsoever10; a charitable esteem of our neighbors11; loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good name12; sorrowing for, and covering of their infirmities14; freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces15, defending their innocency16; a ready receiving of a good report17, and unwillingness to admit of an evil report18, concerning them; discouraging talebearers19, flatterers20, and slanderers21; love and care of our own good name, and defending it when need requires22; keeping of lawful promises23; studying and practicing of whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report24.

1.  Zech. 8:16
2.  3John 1:12
3.  Prov. 31:8-9
4.  Ps. 15:2
5.  2Chr. 19:9
6.  1Sam. 19:4-5
7.  Josh. 7:19
8.  2Sam. 14:18-20
9.  Lev. 19:15; Prov. 14:5, 25
10.  2Cor. 1:17-18; Eph. 4:25
11.  Heb. 6:9; 1Cor. 13:7
12.  Rom. 1:8; 2John 1:4; 3John 1:3-4
13.  2Cor. 2:4; 12:21
14.  Prov. 17:9; 1Peter 4:8
15.  1Cor. 1:4-5, 7; 2Tim. 1:4-5
16.  1Sam. 22:14
17.  1Cor. 13:6-7
18.  Ps. 15:3
19.  Prov. 25:23
20.  Prov. 26:24-25
21.  Ps. 101:5
22.  Prov. 22:1; John 8:49
23.  Ps. 15:4
24.  Phil. 4:8

Question 145: What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?

Answer:  The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbors, as well as our own1, especially in public judicature2; giving false evidence3, suborning false witnesses4, wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth5; passing unjust sentence6, calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked7; forgery8, concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause9, and holding our peace when iniquity calls for either a reproof from ourselves10, or complaint to others11; speaking the truth unseasonably12, or maliciously to a wrong end13, or perverting it to a wrong meaning14, or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice15; speaking untruth16, lying17, slandering18, backbiting19, detracting20, tale bearing21, whispering22, scoffing23, reviling24, rash25, harsh26, and partial censuring27; misconstructing intentions, words, and actions28; flattering29, vainglorious boasting30, thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others31; denying the gifts and graces of God32; aggravating smaller faults33; hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession34; unnecessary discovering of infirmities35; raising false rumors36, receiving and countenancing evil reports37, and stopping our ears against just defense38; evil suspicion39; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any40, endeavoring or desiring to impair it41, rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy42; scornful contempt43, fond admiration44; breach of lawful promises45; neglecting such things as are of good report46, and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name47.

1.  1Sam. 17:28; 2Sam. 1:9-10, 15-16; 16:3
2.  Lev. 19:15; Hab. 1:4
3.  Prov. 6:16, 19; 19:5
4.  Acts 6:13
5.  Jer. 9:3, 5; Acts 24:2, 5; Ps. 3:1-4; 12:3-4
6.  Prov. 17:15; 1Kings 21:9-14
7.  Isa. 5:23
8.  Ps. 119:69; Luke 16:5-7; 19:8
9.  Lev. 5:1; Acts 5:3, 8-9; 2Tim. 4:6
10.  1Kings 1:6; Lev. 19:17
11.  Isa. 59:4
12.  Prov. 29:11
13.  1Sam. 22:9-10; Ps. 52:1
14.  Ps. 56:5; John 2:19; Matt. 26:60-61
15.  Gen. 3:5, 26:7, 9
16.  Isa. 59:13
17.  Lev. 19:11; Col. 3:9
18.  Ps. 1:20
19.  Ps. 15:3
20.  James 4:11; Jer. 38:4
21.  Lev. 19:16
22.  Rom. 1:29-30
23.  Gen. 21:9; Gal. 4:29
24.  1Cor. 6:10
25.  Matt. 7:1
26.  Acts 28:4
27.  Gen. 38:24; Rom. 2:1
28.  Neh. 6:6-8; Rom. 3:8; Ps. 69:10; 1Sam. 1:13-15; 2Sam. 10:3
29.  Ps. 12:2-3
30.  2Tim. 3:2
31.  Luke 18:9, 11; Rom. 12:16; 1Cor. 4:6; Acts 12:22; Exod. 4:10-14
32.  Job 4:6, 27:5-6
33.  Matt. 7:3-5
34.  Prov. 28:13; 30:20; Gen. 3:12-13; 4:9; Jer. 2:35; 2Kings 5:25
35.  Gen. 9:22; Prov. 25:9-10
36.  Exod. 23:1
37.  Prov. 29:12
38.  Acts 7:56-57; Job 31:13-14
39.  1Cor. 13:5; 1Tim. 6:4
40.  Num. 11:29; Matt. 21:15
41.  Ezra 4:12-13
42.  Jer. 48:27
43.  Ps. 35:15-16, 21; Matt. 27:28-29
44.  Jude 1:16; Acts 12:22
45.  Rom. 1:31; 2Tim. 3:3
46.  1Sam. 2:24
47.  2Sam. 13:12-13; Prov. 5:8-9; 6:33

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Question 146: Which is the tenth commandment?

Answer:  The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.

Exod. 20:17

Question 147: What are the duties required in the tenth commandment?

Answer:  The duties required in the tenth commandment are, such a full contentment with our own condition1, and such a charitable frame of the whole soul toward our neighbor, as that all our inward motions and affections touching him, tend unto, and further all that good which is his2.

1.  Heb. 13:5; 1Tim. 6:6
2.  Job 31:29; Ps. 122:79; 1Tim. 1:5; Est. 10:3; 1Cor. 13:4-7

Question 148: What are the sins forbidden in the tenth commandment?

Answer:  The sins forbidden in the tenth commandment are, discontentment with our own estate1; envying2 and grieving at the good of our neighbor3, together with all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his4.

1.  1Kings 21:4; Est. 5:13; 1Cor. 10:10
2.  Gal. 5:26; James 3:14, 16
3.  Ps. 122:9-10; Neh. 2:10
4.  Rom. 7:7-8; Rom. 13:9; Col. 3:5; Deut. 5:21

Question 149: Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?

Answer:  No man is able, either of himself1, or by any grace received in this life, perfectly to keep the commandments of God2; but does daily break them in thought3, word, and deed4.

1.  James 3:2; John 15:5; Rom. 8:3
2.  Eccl. 7:20; 1John 1:8, 10; Gal. 5:17; Rom. 7:18-19
3.  Gen. 6:5, 8:21
4.  Rom. 3:9-19; James 3:2-13

Question 150: Are all transgressions of the law of God equally heinous in themselves, and in the sight of God?

Answer:  All transgressions of the law of God are not equally heinous; but some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

John 19:11; Ezek. 8:6, 13, 15; 1John 5:16; Ps. 78:17, 32, 56

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Question 151: What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others?

Answer:  Sins receive their aggravations,

a)  From the persons offending1: if they be of riper age2, greater experience or grace3, eminent for profession4, gifts5, place6, office7, guides to others8, and whose example is likely to be followed by others9.
b)  From the parties offended10: if immediately against God11, his attributes12, and worship13; against Christ, and his grace14; the Holy Spirit15, his witness16, and workings17; against superiors, men of eminency18, and such as we stand especially related and engaged unto19; against any of the saints20, particularly weak brethren21, the souls of them, or any other22, and the common good of all or many23.
c)  From the nature and quality of the offense24: if it be against the express letter of the law25, break many commandments, contain in it many sins26: if not only conceived in the heart, but breaks forth in words and actions27, scandalize others28, and admit of no reparation29: if against means30, mercies31, judgments32, light of nature33, conviction of conscience34, public or private admonition35, censures of the church36, civil punishments37; and our prayers, purposes, promises38, vows39, covenants40, and engagements to God or men41: if done deliberately42, wilfully43, presumptuously44, impudently45, boastingly46, maliciously47, frequently48, obstinately49, with delight50, continuance51, or relapsing after repentance52.
d)  From circumstances of time53 and place54: if on the Lord’s day55, or other times of divine worship56; or immediately before57 or after these58, or other helps to prevent or remedy such miscarriages59: if in public, or in the presence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled60.

1.  Jer. 2:8
2.  Job 32:7, 9; Eccl. 4:13
3.  1Kings 11:4, 9
4.  2Sam. 12:14; 1Cor. 5:1
5.  James 4:17; Luke 12:47-48
6.  Jer. 5:4-5
7.  2Sam. 12:7-9; Ezek. 8:11-12
8.  Rom. 2:17-24
9.  Gal. 2:11-14
10.  Matt. 21:38-39
11.  1Sam. 2:25; Acts 5:4; Ps. 51:4
12.  Rom. 2:4
13.  Mal. 1:8, 14
14.  Heb. 2:2-3; 12:25
15.  Heb. 10:29; Matt. 12:31-32
16.  Eph. 4:30
17.  Heb. 6:4-6
18.  Jude 1:8; Num. 12:8-9; Isa. 3:5
19.  Prov. 30:17; 2Cor. 12:15; Ps. 55:12-15
20.  Zeph. 2:8, 10-11; Matt. 18:6; 1Cor. 6:8; Rev. 17:6
21.  1Cor. 8:11-12; Rom. 14:13, 15, 21
22.  Ezek. 13:19; 1Cor. 8:12; Rev. 18:12-13; Matt. 23:15
23.  1Thess. 2:15-16; Josh. 22:20
24.  Prov. 6:30-35
25.  Ezra 9:10-12; 1Kings 11:9-10
26.  Col. 3:5; 1Tim. 6:10; Prov. 5:8-12; 6:32-33; Josh. 7:21
27.  James 1:14-15; Matt. 5:22; Micah 2:1
28.  Matt. 18:7; Rom. 2:23-24
29.  Deut 22:22, 28-29; Prov. 6:32-25
30.  Matt. 11:21-24; John 15:22
31.  Isa. 1:3; Deut. 32:6
32.  Amos 4:8-11; Jer. 5:8
33.  Rom. 1;26-27
34.  Rom. 1:32; Dan. 5:22; Titus 3:10-11
35.  Prov. 29:1
36.  Titus 3:10; Matt. 18:17
37.  Prov. 23:35, 27:22
38.  Ps. 78:34-37; Jer. 2:20, 13:5-6, 20-21
39.  Eccl. 5:4-6; Prov. 20:25
40.  Lev. 26:25
41.  Prov. 2:17; Ezek. 17:18-19
42.  Ps. 36:4
43.  Jer. 6:16
44.  Num. 15:30; Exod. 21:14
45.  Jer. 3:3; Prov. 7:13
46.  Ps. 52:1
47.  3John 1:10
48.  Num. 14:22
49.  Zech. 7:11-12
50.  Prov. 2:14
51.  Isa. 57:17
52.  Jer. 34:8-11; 2Peter 2:20-22
53.  2Kings 5:26
54.  Jer. 7:10; Isa. 26:10
55.  Ezek. 23:37-39
56.  Isa. 58:3-5; Num. 25:6-7
57.  1Cor. 11:20-21
58.  Jer. 7:8-10, 14-15; John 13:27, 30
59.  Ezra 9:13-14
60.  2Sam. 16:22; 1Sam. 2:22-24

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