Both public and private sins are included in this prohibition. The eighth commandment condemns manstealing and slave dealing, and forbids wars of conquest. It condemns theft and robbery. It demands strict integrity in the minutest details of the affairs of life. It forbids overreaching in trade, and requires the payment of just debts or wages. It declares that every attempt to advantage oneself by the ignorance, weakness, or misfortune of another is registered as fraud in the books of heaven.

Dette forbud omfatter både åbenlyse og hemmelige synder. Det ottende bud fordømmer menneskeran og slavehandel samt forbyder erobringskrige. Det fordømmer tyveri og røveri. Det påbyder streng ærlighed i de mindste enkeltheder i livet. Det forbyder bedrageri i handel og kræver fuld betaling af gæld eller løn. Det erklærer, at ethvert forsøg på at drage fordel af andres uvidenhed, svaghed eller ulykke optegnes som bedrageri i Himmelens bøger.