Different temples and churches require priests, clerics and paladins to take different vows at the end of their novitiates. These vows are those taken by paladins of the Temple of Pelor.
I swear before Pelor, light of the world, that I shall always act with honour. I shall be disciplined and righteous in all matters. I shall respect my superiors and obey their requests. I shall protect the innocent and punish the guilty. I swear before Pelor, the sun and the hearth, that I shall do all these things, in thought and in deed, so long as they are within my power. May Pelor himself be my witness, my surety, and my keeper.
Temple teaching on the meaning and interpretation of these vows follows.
I shall always act with honour.
You should be truthful, faithful, loyal and brave. Speak honestly, keep your word, stand by your friends and allies, and do not flinch from danger.
I shall be disciplined ...
You should be modest and restrained in your behaviour and preferences. Do not drink or eat to excess. Do not be profligate or indecorous in behaviour. You are a model for others to follow in all things.
... and righteous in all matters.
You should always seek to do what is good and to avoid evil. Do not compromise on what is right.
I shall respect my superiors ...
You should treat all people with respect, great and small. However, pay special attention to the leaders of society, both civil and ecclesiastical, and to your elders, and heed their words. They have acquired more wisdom than you in the course of their lives.
... and obey their requests.
Whenever possible, aid all people, great and small. If you must choose, you should follow the directions of your superiors within the temple of Pelor whenever you can. If you are asked by another for assistance, and this request is both no greater in importance and contrary to a direction from a temple superior, your superior's request takes precedence. Likewise, if one of the king's officials makes a request of you, it should take precedence over the request of a noble, and a noble's request should take precedence over a commoner's.
I shall protect the innocent ...
You should tend to the weak and the needy, and protect them against the strong and the cruel. Do not place yourself in a position of power over the innocent: you are their servant, not their master.
... and punish the guilty.
You should ensure that the guilty and the wicked are brought to justice, and punished by the appropriate authority. Do not think that you can dispense summary justice: you are not a judge or a lawyer.
I shall do all these things, in thought and in deed ...
You should always act with good intentions. You deeds are meaningless if they do not come from a good heart. Even the worst of people can bring about good, but they cannot do good without good intentions.
... so long as they are within my power.
You can only do what you can do, no more, no less. You have not failed if you could never succeed.
May Pelor himself be my witness ...
You swear before Pelor, who gives you his grace and his love, that you will do these things. He will witness your deeds wherever you may be: remember that his gaze sweeps the vaults of the sky and the depths of the ocean.
... my surety ...
You do not stand alone in this life. Pelor works with you and through you: he stands as guarantor for you and your deeds. Your acts are his acts also.
... and my keeper.
You have made promises to Pelor, and he expects you to keep them. If you fail to keep your vows, he will reclaim his surety and take back the gifts he has given you.