21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
21 "Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.
21 "You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
21 "Don't abuse or take advantage of strangers; you, remember, were once strangers in Egypt.
21 "You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
21 "You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.
9 "Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.
9 "You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
9 "Don't take advantage of a stranger. You know what it's like to be a stranger; you were strangers in Egypt.
9 Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
9 "You must not oppress foreigners. You know what it's like to be a foreigner, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.
(Read Exodus 23:1-9)
In the law of Moses are very plain marks of sound moral feeling, and of true political wisdom. Every thing in it is suited to the desired and avowed object, the worship of one only God, and the separation of Israel from the pagan world. Neither parties, friends, witnesses, nor common opinions, must move us to lessen great faults, to aggravate small ones, excuse offenders, accuse the innocent, or misrepresent any thing.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 22:21
Chapter Contents
Judicial laws.
The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the grace of God has indeed appeared to us, then it has taught us, and enabled us so to conduct ourselves by its holy power, that denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, Titus 2:12. And the grace of God teaches us, that as the Lord is our portion, there is enough in him to satisfy all the desires of our souls.