menu_book The Bible in Fongbe

The Ten Commandments in Fon

The Ten Commandments (the Decalogue), the center of Judeo-Christian morality, were translated into Fon from the first Catholic missions onward. Here is the liturgical text.

schedule 5 min
signal_cellular_alt All levels
1
Cmdts 1-3

God and his name

1. Ðu Mawu ɖokpó jɛ̀nWorship only one God
2. Ma nyí nyikɔ Mawu tɔ́n dó vìvì ǎ óDo not take the name of God in vain
3. Dó azǎn mímɛ́ ɔ́ ɖóKeep the holy day (Sunday)
2
Cmdts 4-7

Family and neighbor

4. Ðó sísí nú tɔ́ towe kpó nɔ̀ towe kpóHonor your father and your mother
5. Ma hu mɛ ǎ óDo not kill
6. Ma dɔ̀ nyɔnu ǎ óDo not commit adultery
7. Ma fin nǔ ǎ óDo not steal

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3
Cmdts 8-10

Speech and desire

8. Ma ɖɔ̀ adingban ǎ óDo not lie / do not bear false witness
9. Ma jró nyɔnu mɛ ɖ’évó tɔ́n ǎ óDo not covet your neighbor’s wife
10. Ma jló nǔ mɛ ɖ’évó tɔ́n ǎ óDo not covet your neighbor’s goods
Mawu sín sɛ́n wǒ lɛ́
The ten commandments of God
church

Use

These commandments are taught in Fon catechism classes in Beninese Catholic parishes. They are also recited in families before important meals.

Morality in 10 rules

Mawu sín sɛ́n wǒ lɛ́ — ten rules that shape the spiritual life of millions of Christian Beninese. Knowing them in Fon brings you closer to the faithful.

Danxomɛ
Language before translation
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