The Ten Commandments were intended as an expression of the Jewish people’s love for God. They were showing they are His people by keeping these commandments in their daily lives. The sixth graders in the Our Lady of Mercy Religious Education program, Forest Hills, came up with this paraphrased version of the Commandments to help them and others their age:

1. Love God more than anything.

2. Say God’s name with respect and love.

3. Go to church every Sunday even when you don’t feel like it because it is the right thing to do.

4. Respect, love and appreciate your parents.

5. Do not bully someone or kill their reputation through gossip.

6. Don’t try to be sexual with another person when you are this young and don’t engage in online nudity.

7. Don’t steal or plan to steal.

8. Do not lie or frame somebody else for something they didn’t do.

9. Do not plan ways to take away somebody else’s boyfriend or girlfriend.

10. Don’t give in to jealousy or greed.

Compiled by Sophia Barrenchea, Madison Belczynski, Luke Boselli, Caitlin Burke, George Burke, Meaghan King, Nicholas Marino, Samantha Miller, John O’Malley, Dawson Montessa, Romina Velasco and Sean Villanueva.