Almighty God gave ten behests in the law of the Jews, that Moses
received in the hill of Sinai in two tables of stone, that were written
with God’s finger. And (Moses) himself, after his burial, commanded in
his story to each man that will be saved to keep and observe them. And
whoso sinneth in any of the same behests, shall repent thereof, and be
shriven, and pray for God’s mercy, if he will be saved.
This book is written for Englishmen, that they may know how they shall
shrive themselves and make them clean in this life. This book is called
by him who writes Ayenbite of Inwyt. First are the ten behests that all
men shall observe.