Exodus 20:3-17 (#10) Thou shalt not steal.

Sonnet 698 Exodus 20:3-17 (#10) Thou shalt not steal.

I read this law as wide and very strong

Entailing every breach of honesty

Forbidding almost any kind of wrong

And not just grand or petty larceny.

And focus on the things that theft involves

And not just on the money or the stuff

And soon a host of thieveries evolves

Until each honest robber shouts “Enough!”

There's reputation high up on the list

And time and trust and peace of heart and mind

And hope and promise too should not be missed

When things purloined are honestly defined.

And we should pray in faith each time we kneel

To be forgiven for the things we steal.