The Book of Confessions - The Presbyterian Leader

sinful ways of taking or withholding from our neighbor what belongs to him, or of enriching
ourselves; (1612) covetousness, (1613) inordinate prizing and affecting worldly
goods; (1614) distrustful and distracting cares and studies in getting, keeping, and using
them; (1615) envying at the prosperity of others; (1616) as likewise idleness, (1617)
prodigality, wasteful gaming, and all other ways whereby we do unduly prejudice our own
outward estate; (1618) and defrauding ourselves of the due use and comfort of that estate which
God hath given us. (1619)
Q. 143. Which is the Ninth Commandment?
A. The Ninth Commandment is, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy
neighbour." (1620)
Q. 144. What are the duties required in the Ninth Commandment?
A. The duties required in the Ninth Commandment are: the preserving and promoting
of truth between man and man, (1621) and the good name of our neighbor, as well as our
own; (1622) appearing and standing for the truth; (1623) and from the heart, sincerely, (1624)
freely, (1625) clearly, (1626) and fully, (1627) speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters
of judgment and justice, (1628) and in all other things whatsoever; (1629) a charitable esteem of
our neighbors, (1630) loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good name; (1631) sorrowing
for, (1632) and covering of their infirmities; (1633) freely acknowledging of their gifts and
graces, (1634) defending their innocency; (1635) a ready receiving of good report, (1636)
and unwillingness to admit of an evil report concerning them; (1637) discouraging
talebearers, (1638) flatterers, (1639) and slanderers; (1640) love and care of our own good
name, and defending it when need requireth; (1641) keeping of lawful promises; (1642)
studying and practicing of whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good
report. (1643)
Q. 145. What are the sins forbidden in the Ninth Commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the Ninth Commandment are: all prejudicing of the truth, and
the good name of our neighbors as well as our own, (1644) especially in public
judicature; (1645) giving false evidence, (1646) suborning false witnesses, (1647) wittingly
appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth; (1648) passing
unjust sentence, (1649) 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 wicked; (1650)
forgery, (1651) concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause, (1652) and holding our peace
when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves, (1653) or complaint to
others; (1654) speaking the truth unseasonably, (1655) or maliciously to a wrong
end, (1656) or perverting it to a wrong meaning, (1657) or in doubtful and equivocal
expression, to the prejudice of truth or justice; (1658) speaking untruth, (1659) lying, (1660)
slandering, (1661) backbiting, (1662) detracting, (1663) talebearing, (1664)
whispering, (1665) scoffing, (1666) reviling; (1667) rash, (1668) harsh, (1669) and
partial censuring; (1670) misconstruing intentions, words, and actions; (1671)
Copyright © 1996 by the Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA)