Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse someone of a crime, New Living Translation “If a malicious witness comes forward and accuses someone of a crime, English Standard Version If a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, Berean Standard Bible If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime, King James Bible If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; New King James Version If a false witness rises against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing, New American Standard Bible If a malicious witness rises up against a person to testify against him of wrongdoing, NASB 1995 “If a malicious witness rises up against a man to accuse him of wrongdoing, NASB 1977 “If a malicious witness rises up against a man to accuse him of wrongdoing, Legacy Standard Bible If a malicious witness rises up against a man to accuse him of wrongdoing, Amplified Bible If a malicious witness rises up against a man to [falsely] accuse him of wrongdoing, Christian Standard Bible “If a malicious witness testifies against someone accusing him of a crime, Holman Christian Standard Bible If a malicious witness testifies against someone accusing him of a crime, American Standard Version If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to testify against him of wrong-doing, Contemporary English Version If you accuse someone of a crime, but seem to be lying, English Revised Version If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to testify against him of wrong-doing; GOD'S WORD® Translation This is what you must do whenever a witness takes the stand to accuse a person falsely of a crime. Good News Translation If any of you try to harm another by false accusations, International Standard Version When a malicious witness takes the stand against a man and accuses him, Majority Standard Bible If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime, NET Bible If a false witness testifies against another person and accuses him of a crime, New Heart English Bible If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing, Webster's Bible Translation If a false witness shall rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; World English Bible If an unrighteous witness rises up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhen a violent witness rises against a man to testify against him apostasy, Young's Literal Translation 'When a violent witness doth rise against a man, to testify against him apostasy, Smith's Literal Translation If a witness of wrong shall rise up against a man to testify apostasy against him; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf a lying witness stand against a man, accusing him of transgression, Catholic Public Domain Version If a lying witness will have stood against a man, accusing him of a transgression, New American Bible If a hostile witness rises against someone to accuse that person of wrongdoing, New Revised Standard Version If a malicious witness comes forward to accuse someone of wrongdoing, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf a false witness rise up against any man, and testify against him that which is wrong; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And if a false witness shall arise against a man and will testify evil against him; OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to bear perverted witness against him; Brenton Septuagint Translation And if an unjust witness rise up against a man, alleging iniquity against him; 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, 17both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time.… Cross References Exodus 23:1 “You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness. Proverbs 19:5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape. Proverbs 19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish. Proverbs 25:18 Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. Psalm 27:12 Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. Psalm 35:11 Hostile witnesses come forward; they make charges I know nothing about. Leviticus 19:16 You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD. Zechariah 8:17 do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely, for I hate all these things,” declares the LORD. 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. ... Jeremiah 9:3-5 “They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. / “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity. Matthew 26:59-61 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. / 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.’” Mark 14:55-59 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. / For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent. / Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him: ... Acts 6:11-13 Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” / So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, / where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 1 Timothy 5:19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 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.’ Treasury of Scripture If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; a false witness Exodus 23:1-7 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness… 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… Psalm 27:12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. that which is wrong. Jump to Previous Accuse Apostacy Bear Crime Makes Malicious Offence Perverted Rise Rises Stand Statement Testify Unrighteous Violent Witness Wrong Wrongdoing Wrong-DoingJump to Next Accuse Apostacy Bear Crime Makes Malicious Offence Perverted Rise Rises Stand Statement Testify Unrighteous Violent Witness Wrong Wrongdoing Wrong-DoingDeuteronomy 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 If a false witness testifies against someone, In the context of ancient Israel, the integrity of the judicial system was paramount. The law given through Moses emphasized truthfulness and justice, reflecting God's character. False testimony was a serious offense because it could lead to unjust punishment or even death. The Ninth Commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16), underscores the importance of truth. The community was responsible for maintaining justice, and false witnesses threatened the social order and covenant relationship with God. accusing him of a crime, Persons / Places / Events 1. False WitnessAn individual who deliberately provides untrue testimony against another person, potentially leading to unjust consequences. 2. Accused Person The individual who is the subject of the false testimony, facing potential punishment for a crime they may not have committed. 3. Israelite Community The broader context in which these laws were given, emphasizing justice and righteousness within the community. 4. Judicial System of Ancient Israel The system established by God through Moses to ensure justice, including the role of judges and the process of legal proceedings. 5. Moses The leader and lawgiver of Israel, through whom God delivered these laws to guide the community in righteousness. Teaching Points The Importance of TruthfulnessTruth is foundational to justice and community integrity. Upholding truth prevents the miscarriage of justice and maintains trust within the community. The Role of Witnesses in Justice Witnesses hold significant power in legal proceedings. Their integrity is crucial to ensuring fair outcomes and protecting the innocent. God's Hatred of Falsehood God detests falsehood and deceit, as they are contrary to His nature. Believers are called to reflect God's truthfulness in their lives. The Consequences of False Testimony False testimony can lead to severe consequences, not only for the accused but also for the community's moral fabric. It is a serious offense with spiritual and social repercussions. The Call to Righteousness Believers are called to pursue righteousness and justice, ensuring that their words and actions align with God's standards.Verse 16. - To testify against him that which is wrong; literally, to testify against him defection, i.e. from the Law of God. The speaker has apparently in view here all such defections from the Law as would entail punishment on the convicted offender. In Deuteronomy 13:5 [6], indeed, the crime described here as "that which is wrong" (margin, "falling away") is specially the crime of apostasy to idolatry; but the word (סָרָה), though usually expressing apostasy from Jehovah, has properly the general sense of a deflection from a prescribed course (from סוּר, to go off, to go aside), and so may describe any departure from what is constituted right. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Ifכִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction a false חָמָ֖ס (ḥā·mās) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2555: Violence, wrong, by meton, unjust gain witness עֵד־ (‘êḏ-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5707: A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince testifies לַעֲנ֥וֹת (la·‘ă·nō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 6030: To answer, respond against someone, בְּאִ֑ישׁ (bə·’îš) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person accusing him of a crime, סָרָֽה׃ (sā·rāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5627: Turning aside, defection, apostasy, withdrawal Links Deuteronomy 19:16 NIVDeuteronomy 19:16 NLT Deuteronomy 19:16 ESV Deuteronomy 19:16 NASB Deuteronomy 19:16 KJV Deuteronomy 19:16 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 19:16 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 19:16 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 19:16 French Bible Deuteronomy 19:16 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 19:16 If an unrighteous witness rise up against (Deut. 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