Catechism for Young Children

An adaptation of the Catechism for Young Children in modern English.

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Question 82


Modern Adaptation

Question: What is the second commandment?

Answer: The second commandment is: You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.


Traditional Formulation

Question: What is the second commandment?

Answer: The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any things that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I, the Lord thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.


Adaptation Commentary

Update from KJV to ESV


Last Updated: 2026-04-27 00:07:30 +0000