Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty. New Living Translation “Be sure never to charge anyone falsely with evil. Never sentence an innocent or blameless person to death, for I never declare a guilty person to be innocent. English Standard Version Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked. Berean Standard Bible Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. King James Bible Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked. New King James Version Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked. New American Standard Bible Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for I will not acquit the guilty. NASB 1995 “Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for I will not acquit the guilty. NASB 1977 “Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for I will not acquit the guilty. Legacy Standard Bible Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for I will not justify the guilty. Amplified Bible Keep far away from a false charge or action, and do not condemn to death the innocent or the righteous, for I will not justify and acquit the guilty. Christian Standard Bible Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent and the just, because I will not justify the guilty. Holman Christian Standard Bible Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent and the just, because I will not justify the guilty. American Standard Version Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked. Contemporary English Version Don't bring false charges against anyone or sentence an innocent person to death. I won't forgive you if you do. English Revised Version Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked. GOD'S WORD® Translation Avoid telling lies. Don't kill innocent or honest people, because I will never declare guilty people innocent. Good News Translation Do not make false accusations, and do not put an innocent person to death, for I will condemn anyone who does such an evil thing. International Standard Version Stay far away from a false charge, and don't kill the innocent or the righteous, because I won't acquit the guilty. Majority Standard Bible Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. NET Bible Keep your distance from a false charge--do not kill the innocent and the righteous, for I will not justify the wicked. New Heart English Bible "Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous: for I will not justify the wicked. Webster's Bible Translation Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked. World English Bible “Keep far from a false charge, and don’t kill the innocent and righteous; for I will not justify the wicked. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionyou keep far off from a false matter, and you do not slay an innocent and righteous man; for I do not justify a wicked man. Young's Literal Translation from a false matter thou dost keep far off, and an innocent and righteous man thou dost not slay; for I do not justify a wicked man. Smith's Literal Translation From the word of falsehood thou shalt go far away; and the innocent and the just one thou shalt not kill: for I will not justify the unjust one. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThou shalt fly lying. The innocent and just person thou shalt not put to death: because I abhor the wicked. Catholic Public Domain Version You shall flee from lies. The innocent and the just you shall not kill. For I shun the impious. New American Bible You shall keep away from anything dishonest. The innocent and the just you shall not put to death, for I will not acquit the guilty. New Revised Standard Version Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and those in the right, for I will not acquit the guilty. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleKeep far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous you shall not slay; for I will not justify the wicked. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And keep far away from a lying word, and you shall not kill the innocent ones and the righteous ones, because I do not justify the guilty. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not; for I will not justify the wicked. Brenton Septuagint Translation Thou shalt abstain from every unjust thing: thou shalt not slay the innocent and just, and thou shalt not justify the wicked for gifts. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Justice and Mercy…6You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits. 7Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. 8Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.… Cross References Proverbs 17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD. Deuteronomy 16:19 Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. Isaiah 5:23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice. Proverbs 24:24 Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent”—peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him; Psalm 82:2-4 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah / Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked. Leviticus 19:15 You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly. Deuteronomy 27:25 ‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Isaiah 1:23 Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them. Proverbs 18:5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. Job 34:12 Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. Amos 5:12 For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate. Matthew 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. Luke 11:42 Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former. Romans 1:32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them. James 2:9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. Treasury of Scripture Keep you far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay you not: for I will not justify the wicked. far from Exodus 23:1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Leviticus 19:11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. Deuteronomy 19:16-21 If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; … the innocent Deuteronomy 27:25 Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen. for I will not Exodus 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. Proverbs 17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. Jump to Previous Acquit Business Cause Charge Death Evil-Doer False. Far Guilty Honest Innocent Justify Kill Matter Responsible Righteous Sin Slay Upright Wicked Wrong YourselvesJump to Next Acquit Business Cause Charge Death Evil-Doer False. Far Guilty Honest Innocent Justify Kill Matter Responsible Righteous Sin Slay Upright Wicked Wrong YourselvesExodus 23 1. Of slander, false witness, and partiality4. Of charitableness 6. Of justice in judgment 8. Of taking bribes 9. Of oppressing a stranger 10. Of the year of rest 12. Of the Sabbath 13. Of idolatry 14. Of the three feasts 18. Of the blood and the fat of the sacrifice 20. An angel is promised, with a blessing, if they obey him Stay far away from a false accusation. This phrase emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and integrity in legal and personal matters. In the ancient Near Eastern context, false accusations could lead to severe consequences, including unjust punishment or death. The command to avoid false accusations aligns with the Ninth Commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). This principle is echoed in Proverbs 6:16-19, where a lying tongue and a false witness are listed among the things the Lord detests. The call to distance oneself from falsehood reflects God's nature as a God of truth (John 14:6) and sets a standard for His people to emulate. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God on Mount Sinai, including the instructions found in Exodus 23. 2. Israelites The chosen people of God, who were given these laws to guide their conduct and ensure justice within their community. 3. Mount Sinai The place where God delivered the Ten Commandments and other laws to Moses, including the instructions in Exodus 23. 4. God The ultimate judge and lawgiver, who emphasizes justice and righteousness in His laws. 5. The Innocent and the Just Individuals who are wrongfully accused or harmed, whom God commands to protect. Teaching Points Integrity in Speech and ActionAs followers of Christ, we must ensure that our words and actions reflect truth and justice. Avoiding false accusations is crucial in maintaining integrity. Value of Human Life This verse underscores the sanctity of life, reminding us that God values the innocent and just. We are called to protect and uphold the dignity of every person. God's Justice Trust in God's ultimate justice. While human systems may fail, God promises that He will not acquit the guilty, assuring us of His righteous judgment. Responsibility to Others We have a responsibility to stand up for those who are wrongfully accused or oppressed, reflecting God's heart for justice and mercy. Self-Examination Regularly examine your own heart and actions to ensure you are not contributing to injustice or falsehood in any form.(7) Keep thee far from a false matter.--A false accusation seems to be intended. If we make one it may result in an innocent man's death, and we shall be murderers; God will then assuredly hold us guilty.Verse 7. - Keep thee far from a false matter. Hold aloof, i.e., from anything like a false accusation. Neither bring one, nor countenance one, else those mayest cause the death of an innocent and righteous man, and bring down on thyself the vengeance of him, who will not justify the wicked. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Stay far awayתִּרְחָ֑ק (tir·ḥāq) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 7368: To be or become far or distant from a false שֶׁ֖קֶר (še·qer) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood accusation. מִדְּבַר־ (mid·də·ḇar-) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause Do not אַֽל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not kill תַּהֲרֹ֔ג (ta·hă·rōḡ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent the innocent וְנָקִ֤י (wə·nā·qî) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 5355: Clean, free from, exempt and the just, וְצַדִּיק֙ (wə·ṣad·dîq) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6662: Just, righteous for כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I will not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no acquit אַצְדִּ֖יק (’aṣ·dîq) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 6663: To be just or righteous the guilty. רָשָֽׁע׃ (rā·šā‘) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person Links Exodus 23:7 NIVExodus 23:7 NLT Exodus 23:7 ESV Exodus 23:7 NASB Exodus 23:7 KJV Exodus 23:7 BibleApps.com Exodus 23:7 Biblia Paralela Exodus 23:7 Chinese Bible Exodus 23:7 French Bible Exodus 23:7 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 23:7 Keep far from a false charge (Exo. 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