Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “’Do not go about spreading slander among your people. “’Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the LORD. New Living Translation “Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. “Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the LORD. English Standard Version You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD. Berean Standard Bible You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD. King James Bible Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. New King James Version You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD. New American Standard Bible You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people; and you are not to jeopardize the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD. NASB 1995 ‘You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor; I am the LORD. NASB 1977 ‘You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor; I am the LORD. Legacy Standard Bible You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand against the life of your neighbor; I am Yahweh. Amplified Bible You shall not go around as a gossip among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor [with slander or false testimony]; I am the LORD. Christian Standard Bible Do not go about spreading slander among your people; do not jeopardize your neighbor’s life; I am the LORD. Holman Christian Standard Bible You must not go about spreading slander among your people; you must not jeopardize your neighbor’s life; I am Yahweh.” American Standard Version Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I am Jehovah. Contemporary English Version Don't be a gossip, but never hesitate to speak up in court, especially if your testimony can save someone's life. English Revised Version Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. GOD'S WORD® Translation Never gossip. Never endanger your neighbor's life. I am the LORD. Good News Translation Do not spread lies about anyone, and when someone is on trial for his life, speak out if your testimony can help him. I am the LORD. International Standard Version "You are not to go around slandering your people. "You are not to stand idle when your neighbor's life is at stake. I am the LORD. Majority Standard Bible You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD. NET Bible You must not go about as a slanderer among your people. You must not stand idly by when your neighbor's life is at stake. I am the LORD. New Heart English Bible "'You shall not go up and down as a slanderer among your people; neither shall you stand against the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD. Webster's Bible Translation Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor; I am the LORD. World English Bible “‘You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people. “‘You shall not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am Yahweh. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionYou do not go slandering among your people; you do not stand against the blood of your neighbor; I [am] YHWH. Young's Literal Translation Thou dost not go slandering among thy people; thou dost not stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am Jehovah. Smith's Literal Translation Thou shalt not go a slanderer among thy people; thou shalt not stand upon the blood of thy neighbor: I Jehovah. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThou shalt not be a detractor nor a whisperer among the people. Thou shalt not stand against the blood of thy neighbour. I am the Lord. Catholic Public Domain Version You shall not be a detractor, nor a whisperer, among the people. You shall not stand against the blood of your neighbor. I am the Lord. New American Bible You shall not go about spreading slander among your people; nor shall you stand by idly when your neighbor’s life is at stake. I am the LORD. New Revised Standard Version You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the LORD. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleYou shall not accuse your own people neither shall you stand against the blood of your neighbor; I am the LORD. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated You shall not devour the ridicule of your people and you shall not stand against the blood of your fellow man, because I AM LORD JEHOVAH. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. Brenton Septuagint Translation Thou shalt not walk deceitfully among thy people; thou shalt not rise up against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord your God. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Love Your Neighbor…15You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly. 16You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD. 17You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.… Cross References Proverbs 11:13 A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. Proverbs 20:19 He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips. Exodus 23:1 “You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness. Psalm 15:3 who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend, James 4:11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it. Matthew 7:12 In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets. Romans 1:29-30 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. 1 Peter 2:1 Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. Ephesians 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. 1 Timothy 5:13 At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention. Titus 3:2 to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone. Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ... Jeremiah 6:28 All are hardened rebels, walking around as slanderers. They are bronze and iron; all of them are corrupt. Jeremiah 9:4 “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. 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. Treasury of Scripture You shall not go up and down as a talebearer among your people: neither shall you stand against the blood of your neighbor; I am the LORD. tale-bearer Exodus 23:1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Psalm 15:3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. stand Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 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… Jump to Previous Act Blood False. Forth Idly Life Neighbor Neighbor's Neighbour Slander Slanderer Slandering Spreading Stand Talebearer Tale-Bearer Untrue WitnessJump to Next Act Blood False. Forth Idly Life Neighbor Neighbor's Neighbour Slander Slanderer Slandering Spreading Stand Talebearer Tale-Bearer Untrue WitnessLeviticus 19 1. A repetition of various lawsYou must not go about spreading slander among your people. This command emphasizes the importance of maintaining integrity and truthfulness within the community. In ancient Israel, the community was tightly knit, and slander could easily disrupt social harmony and trust. The Hebrew word for "slander" can also mean "to go about as a talebearer," indicating the destructive nature of gossip. Proverbs 11:13 and 20:19 warn against the dangers of gossip, highlighting its potential to ruin relationships and reputations. The New Testament echoes this sentiment in James 4:11, where believers are instructed not to speak evil against one another. This command reflects God's desire for His people to live in truth and love, fostering unity and peace. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe original audience of the book of Leviticus, who were given these laws as part of their covenant relationship with God. 2. Moses The prophet and leader through whom God delivered the laws to the Israelites. 3. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who establishes these laws to guide His people in holiness and righteousness. 4. The Neighbor Represents fellow members of the Israelite community, emphasizing the importance of community relationships. 5. The Promised Land The context in which these laws were to be lived out, as the Israelites prepared to enter and settle in the land God promised them. Teaching Points Guard Your SpeechThe command against slander highlights the power of words. As believers, we must be vigilant in ensuring our speech builds up rather than tears down. Value of Community The prohibition against endangering a neighbor underscores the importance of community and the responsibility we have to protect and care for one another. Holiness in Daily Life This verse is part of the broader call to holiness in Leviticus. Our daily interactions should reflect God's character, including how we speak about and treat others. Fear of the LORD The phrase "I am the LORD" serves as a reminder that our obedience is rooted in reverence for God, who sees and judges all actions. Practical Love Loving our neighbor is not just a feeling but involves concrete actions, such as refraining from harmful speech and protecting their well-being.(16) Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer.--Better, Thou shalt not go about slandering, as the Authorised Version has it in Jeremiah 6:28; Jeremiah 9:4; Ezekiel 22:9, Margin. Whilst giving just evidence in a court of justice is demanded by the law, it prohibits the circulation of slanderous reports about our neighbours. This dangerous habit, which has ruined the character and destroyed the life of many an innocent person (1Samuel 22:9; 1Samuel 22:18; Ezekiel 22:9, &c.), was denounced by the spiritual authorities in the time of Christ as the greatest sin. Three things they declared remove a man from this world, and deprive him of happiness in the world to come--idolatry, incest, and murder, but slander surpasses them all. It kills three persons with one act, the person who slanders, the person who is slandered, and the person who listens to the slander. Hence the ancient Chaldee Version of Jonathan translates this clause: "Thou shalt not follow the thrice accursed tongue, for it is more fatal than the double-edged devouring sword." (Comp. also Ecclesiasticus 28:14) . . . Verse 16. - Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people. For the evil done by mere idle talebearing, see Bishop Butler's sermon, 'Upon the Government of the Tongue,' and four sermons by Bishop Jeremy Taylor, on 'The Good and Evil Tongue; Slander and Flattery; the Duties of the Tongue.' Neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; that is, thou shalt not endanger his life, which is the result of the worst kind of talebearing, namely, bearing false witness against him. Thus the effect of the false witness of the two men of Belial against Naboth was that "they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died" (1 Kings 21:13; cf. Matthew 26:60; Matthew 27:4). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew You must notלֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no go תֵלֵ֤ךְ (ṯê·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk about spreading slander רָכִיל֙ (rā·ḵîl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7400: A scandal-monger among your people. בְּעַמֶּ֔יךָ (bə·‘am·me·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock You must not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no endanger תַעֲמֹ֖ד (ṯa·‘ă·mōḏ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations the life דַּ֣ם (dam) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed of your neighbor. רֵעֶ֑ךָ (rê·‘e·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow I אֲנִ֖י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I am the LORD. יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel Links Leviticus 19:16 NIVLeviticus 19:16 NLT Leviticus 19:16 ESV Leviticus 19:16 NASB Leviticus 19:16 KJV Leviticus 19:16 BibleApps.com Leviticus 19:16 Biblia Paralela Leviticus 19:16 Chinese Bible Leviticus 19:16 French Bible Leviticus 19:16 Catholic Bible OT Law: Leviticus 19:16 You shall not go up and down (Le Lv Lev.) |
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