Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. New Living Translation “You must not convict anyone of a crime on the testimony of only one witness. The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. English Standard Version “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established. Berean Standard Bible A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. King James Bible One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. New King James Version “One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established. New American Standard Bible “A single witness shall not rise up against a person regarding any wrongdoing or any sin that he commits; on the testimony of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed. NASB 1995 “A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed. NASB 1977 “A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed. Legacy Standard Bible “A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; at the mouth of two or three witnesses a matter shall be established. Amplified Bible “A single witness shall not appear in a trial against a man for any wrong or any sin which he has committed; [only] on the testimony or evidence of two or three witnesses shall a charge be confirmed. Christian Standard Bible “One witness cannot establish any iniquity or sin against a person, whatever that person has done. A fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. Holman Christian Standard Bible One witness cannot establish any wrongdoing or sin against a person, whatever that person has done. A fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” American Standard Version One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established. Contemporary English Version Before you are convicted of a crime, at least two witnesses must be able to testify that you did it. English Revised Version One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established. GOD'S WORD® Translation One witness is never enough to convict someone of a crime, offense, or sin he may have committed. Cases must be settled based on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Good News Translation "One witness is not enough to convict someone of a crime; at least two witnesses are necessary to prove that someone is guilty. International Standard Version "The testimony of one person alone is not to suffice to convict anyone of any iniquity, sin, or guilt. But the matter will stand on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Majority Standard Bible A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. NET Bible A single witness may not testify against another person for any trespass or sin that he commits. A matter may be legally established only on the testimony of two or three witnesses. New Heart English Bible One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall every word be established. Webster's Bible Translation One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth; at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. World English Bible One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin that he sins. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionOne witness does not rise against a man for any iniquity and for any sin, in any sin which he sins; by the mouth of two witnesses or by the mouth of three witnesses is a thing established. Young's Literal Translation 'One witness doth not rise against a man for any iniquity, and for any sin, in any sin which he sinneth; by the mouth of two witnesses, or by the mouth of three witnesses, is a thing established. Smith's Literal Translation One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, and for any sin, in any sin which he shall sin; by the mouth of two witnesses or by the mouth of three witnesses the word shall be established. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleOne witness shall not rise up against any man, whatsoever the sin or wickedness be: but in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall stand. Catholic Public Domain Version One witness shall not stand against another, no matter what the sin or outrage may be. For every word shall stand by the mouth of two or three witnesses. New American Bible One witness alone shall not stand against someone in regard to any crime or any offense that may have been committed; a charge shall stand only on the testimony of two or three witnesses. New Revised Standard Version A single witness shall not suffice to convict a person of any crime or wrongdoing in connection with any offense that may be committed. Only on the evidence of two or three witnesses shall a charge be sustained. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleA single witness shall not rise up against a man for any offense, or for any crime, in whatever offense or crime he may commit; on the testimony of two witnesses, or on the testimony of three witnesses, shall a charge be established. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated One witness shall not stand up against a man for any offense or for any sin in any sin that one will sin; by the mouth of two witnesses or by the mouth of three witnesses a word will be established. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth; at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be establishment Brenton Septuagint Translation One witness shall not stand to testify against a man for any iniquity, or for any fault, or for any sin which he may commit; by the mouth of two witnesses, or by the mouth of three witnesses, shall every word be established. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Testimony of Two or Three Witnesses15A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 16If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime,… Cross References Matthew 18:16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” John 8:17 Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. 1 Timothy 5:19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Hebrews 10:28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Numbers 35:30 If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of the witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness. Deuteronomy 17:6 On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness. Matthew 26:60-61 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward / and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” Acts 10:43 All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” 1 John 5:7-8 For there are three that testify: / the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement. 1 Kings 21:10-13 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” / So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel had instructed in the letters she had written to them. / They proclaimed a fast and gave Naboth a seat of honor among the people. ... Proverbs 18:17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. Joshua 7:14-18 In the morning you must present yourselves tribe by tribe. The tribe that the LORD selects shall come forward clan by clan, and the clan that the LORD selects shall come forward family by family, and the family that the LORD selects shall come forward man by man. / The one who is caught with the things devoted to destruction must be burned, along with all that belongs to him, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD and committed an outrage in Israel.’” / So Joshua arose early the next morning and had Israel come forward tribe by tribe, and the tribe of Judah was selected. ... 1 Samuel 14:38-45 Therefore Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today. / As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!” But not one of the troops said a word. / Then Saul said to all Israel, “You stand on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will stand on the other side.” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied. ... Acts 1:21-22 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, / beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” Treasury of Scripture One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. at the mouth Deuteronomy 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. Numbers 35:30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. 1 Kings 21:10,13 And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die… Jump to Previous Account Accused Committed Confirmed Connection Convict Crime Enough Established Establishment Evidence Iniquity Matter Mouth Offense Prevail Rise Sin Single Sinneth Sins Three Witness Witnesses WrongJump to Next Account Accused Committed Confirmed Connection Convict Crime Enough Established Establishment Evidence Iniquity Matter Mouth Offense Prevail Rise Sin Single Sinneth Sins Three Witness Witnesses WrongDeuteronomy 19 1. The cities of refuge4. The privilege thereof for the manslayer 14. The landmark is not to be removed 15. At least two witnesses are required 16. the punishment of a false witness A single witness In the context of ancient Israelite society, the testimony of a single individual was not sufficient to establish a matter of legal or moral consequence. The Hebrew word for "witness" is "עֵד" (ed), which implies someone who provides evidence or testimony. This principle underscores the importance of communal discernment and the prevention of false accusations. In a broader sense, it reflects the biblical emphasis on truth and justice, ensuring that decisions are not made hastily or based on potentially biased or incomplete information. shall not suffice to convict a man of any crime or wrongdoing that he may have committed A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses The law of retaliation is sternly laid down here; but it must be administered by the judges, not by men acting on their own behalf. (17) Both the men . . . shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges.--This appears to mean that all cases of suspected false testimony were to go before the supreme court (see Deuteronomy 17:9); that the matter was not to be lightly decided. (21) Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.--This is to be effected by the award of the judges, not as a matter of private revenge. But manifestly it rests with the injured party to press the case. Verses 15-21. - To secure against injury to life or property through inadequate or false attestation, it is enacted that more than one witness must appear before anything can be established; and that, should a witness be found on trial to have testified falsely against his neighbor, he was to be punished by having done to him what he thought to have done to his neighbor (cf. Deuteronomy 17:6; Numbers 35:30). Verse 15. - The rule in Deuteronomy 17:6, regarding accusations of idolatry, is here extended to accusations of every kind before a court of justice; a single witness was not to be admitted as sufficient to convict a man of any offence, either civil or criminal. |
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