Be Holy
"Love your neighbor as yourself"
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- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
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What does it say?
This is a plain-language guide, not a translation. Check it against the Bible text any time.
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole passage, in shortThe main points of the whole passage, in a few sentences.
God told Moses to tell all the people, "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." Holiness meant leaving the edges of the harvest for the poor and the foreigner, not stealing or lying, paying workers on time, not cursing the deaf or tripping the blind, and judging fairly. It ended, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."
Where it is in the Bible: Leviticus 19:1-18
All the sections at a glanceA map of the passage, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Be Holy | 19:1-4 | Because God is holy |
| 2. Leave Some for the Poor | 19:9-10 | Don't harvest every last bit |
| 3. Fair and Honest | 19:11-16 | Don't steal, cheat, or play favorites |
| 4. Love Your Neighbor | 19:17-18 | No grudges, no revenge |
Before You Read
Where it happens. At Mount Sinai, after God rescued his people from Egypt and gave them the Ten Commandments.
What this book is. Leviticus is full of laws about worship, sacrifices, and daily life. Many readers skip it. But tucked in the middle, in chapter 19, is a passage Jesus called one of the two greatest commandments.
What this passage is. God tells his people to be holy, because he is holy. Then he shows what holiness looks like: not just in worship, but in fields, workplaces, courtrooms, and hearts.
How to read it. Notice the line that keeps repeating: "I am the LORD."
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4Be Holy
God tells Moses to speak to all the people.
"Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy" (19:2).
Holy means set apart for God, different from the world around.
Respect your mother and father. Keep God's day of rest. Don't turn to idols.
Section 2 of 4Leave Some for the Poor
When you harvest your fields, don't cut all the way to the edges. Don't go back for what you missed.
Don't pick every last grape. "Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God" (19:10).
Holiness starts in the field: making room for people in need.
Section 3 of 4Fair and Honest
"You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another" (19:11).
Pay workers on time, the same day.
"You must not curse the deaf or place a stumbling block before the blind" (19:14).
Don't take advantage of people who can't defend themselves.
In court, don't favor the poor or the rich. Judge fairly.
Don't spread gossip. Don't put your neighbor in danger.
Section 4 of 4Love Your Neighbor
"You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart" (19:17).
If someone wrongs you, talk to them directly.
"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD" (19:18).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy" (19:2) | God's people reflect who he is. |
| "Leave them for the poor and the foreigner" (19:10) | Make room for people in need. |
| "You must not steal" (19:11) | Respect what belongs to others. |
| "A stumbling block before the blind" (19:14) | Don't take advantage of the weak. |
| "You are to judge your neighbor fairly" (19:15) | Treat everyone justly. |
| "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge" (19:18) | Don't get even, and don't hold on to anger. |
| "Love your neighbor as yourself" (19:18) | Care for others the way you care for yourself. |
Back Then
Gleaning meant gathering leftover grain after harvest. Ruth gleaned in Boaz's field (Ruth 2:2-3).
Day workers were often very poor. Waiting even one night for pay could mean going hungry.
"I am the LORD" appears again and again in this chapter. Every law is rooted in who God is.
Literal Reader Alert
Do Christians have to follow all of Leviticus? Many of its laws about sacrifice and ritual were fulfilled in Jesus. But the heart of chapter 19, holiness and love for neighbor, is repeated in the New Testament (1 Peter 1:16, Romans 13:9).
Who is my neighbor? That's exactly what someone asked Jesus. He answered with the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37).
Can anyone be holy? Not on our own. God makes us holy through Jesus, and then teaches us to live it.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The poor | Cared for | Fields are left for them (19:10) |
| The worker | Respected | Paid on time (19:13) |
| The wronged | Tempted to get even | God says no revenge (19:18) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Where could you show love this week? Tap one.
At work
Be honest. Pay people what they're owed, on time.
With someone in need
Leave the edges of your field. Share.
With someone who hurt me
Don't hold a grudge. Talk to them directly.
In what I say
Don't spread gossip.
You Might Have Heard
"The Old Testament is about rules. The New Testament is about love."
What's true: The Old Testament has many laws.
What the passage is mainly about: "Love your neighbor as yourself" comes from Leviticus. The Old Testament law was full of care for the poor, the disabled, and the foreigner. Jesus didn't invent love for neighbor. He lived it perfectly.
Where Jesus is: He quoted this command and fulfilled it, loving his neighbors all the way to the cross.
Good News
God doesn't just command holiness. He gives it.
"Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy" (19:2).
We fall short of loving our neighbors. But Jesus loved perfectly, and through him God makes us holy. Then he teaches us to love.
God calls his people to be holy because he is holy: caring for the poor, dealing honestly, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. In Jesus, he makes us holy.
Big Idea
"Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." Holiness looks like leaving food for the poor, dealing honestly, and loving your neighbor as yourself.
If this passage brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught that God doesn't need our good works, but our neighbor does. Loving our neighbor is how we serve God in daily life.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 on the Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany and 19:1-2, 15-18 in October (Lectionary 30), alongside Jesus's teaching on the greatest commandments.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany Year AFirst reading, Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
- Lectionary 30 Year AFirst reading, Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Be Holy, explained in plain words. Holiness looks like leaving food for the poor, dealing honestly, and loving your neighbor. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/be-holy/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church