Exodus 23:7
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 Version
you 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 Bible
Thou 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 Bible
Keep 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 1917
Keep 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.

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Exodus 23
1. Of slander, false witness, and partiality
4. 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
The Hebrew root for "stay far away" is "רָחַק" (rachaq), which implies not just a physical distance but a deliberate avoidance and separation from something harmful or sinful. In the context of ancient Israel, this command underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and purity in one's actions and thoughts. It is a call to proactively avoid situations or behaviors that could lead to injustice or falsehood, reflecting a life dedicated to righteousness.

from a false accusation
The term "false accusation" is derived from the Hebrew "שֶׁקֶר" (sheqer), meaning deceit or falsehood. In the judicial context of ancient Israel, bearing false witness was a serious offense, as it could lead to the unjust punishment of the innocent. This phrase emphasizes the moral and ethical responsibility to uphold truth and justice, aligning with the broader biblical principle that God is a God of truth.

Do not kill
The command "do not kill" is rooted in the Hebrew "רָצַח" (ratsach), which specifically refers to murder or unlawful killing. This prohibition is a reaffirmation of the sanctity of life, a core tenet of biblical teaching. It reflects the divine mandate to protect and value human life, recognizing each person as made in the image of God.

the innocent and the just
The phrase "the innocent and the just" highlights two groups deserving protection: those who are blameless and those who live righteously. The Hebrew words "נָקִי" (naqi) for innocent and "צַדִּיק" (tsaddiq) for just, emphasize the importance of safeguarding those who are vulnerable and those who uphold God's laws. This reflects God's character as a defender of the righteous and a protector of the innocent.

for I will not acquit the guilty
The phrase "I will not acquit the guilty" is a declaration of divine justice. The Hebrew "רָשָׁע" (rasha) for guilty indicates those who are wicked or culpable. This statement assures that God, as the ultimate judge, will not allow the guilty to escape punishment. It serves as a warning against injustice and a reassurance that God's justice will ultimately prevail, reinforcing the biblical theme that God is both just and righteous.

(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 away
תִּרְחָ֑ק (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


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OT Law: Exodus 23:7 Keep far from a false charge (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 23:6
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