2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.

Other Translations of Leviticus 19:2

New International Version

2 "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

English Standard Version

2 "Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

The Message

2 "Speak to the congregation of Israel. Tell them: Be holy because I, God, your God, am holy.

New King James Version

2 "Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: 'You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

New Living Translation

2 "Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 19:2

Chapter Contents

laws.

There are some ceremonial precepts in this chapter, but most of these precepts are binding on us, for they are explanations of the ten commandments. It is required that Israel be a holy people, because the God of Israel is a holy God, verse 35. We must make conscience of obeying God's precepts. We are not to pick and choose our duty, but must aim at standing complete in all the will of God. And the nearer our lives and tempers are to the precepts of God's law, the happier shall we be, and the happier shall we make all around us, and the better shall we adorn the gospel.