231 'Thou dost not lift up a vain report; thou dost not put thy hand with a wicked man to be a violent witness. 2 'Thou art not after many to evil, nor dost thou testify concerning a strife, to turn aside after many to cause 'others' to turn aside; 3 and a poor man thou dost not honour in his strife. 4 'When thou meetest thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou dost certainly turn it back to him; 5 when thou seest the ass of him who is hating thee crouching under its burden, then thou hast ceased from leaving 'it' to it—thou dost certainly leave 'it' with him. 6 'Thou dost not turn aside the judgment of thy needy one in his strife; 7 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. 8 'And a bribe thou dost not take; for the bribe bindeth the open-'eyed', and perverteth the words of the righteous. 9 'And a sojourner thou dost not oppress, and ye—ye have known the soul of the sojourner, for sojourners ye have been in the land of Egypt.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 23:1-9
Commentary on Exodus 23:1-9
(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.