And God spoke all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

This passage from Exodus presents God’s declaration of the commandments to Moses, cementing a foundational moment in Judeo-Christian ethics. The notion of "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children" underscores a legacy of sin, suggesting that moral failings can ripple through generations. This idea, echoed throughout history in works by Euripides and Shakespeare, illustrates the enduring human concern with inherited guilt and accountability. The juxtaposition of divine jealousy with mercy in this text highlights the complex nature of divine justice, balancing retribution with compassion. As such, this passage not only establishes God’s expectations for humanity but also emphasizes the profound impact of individual actions on future generations.