A Call for Justice

"Do not pass along false reports. Do not cooperate with evil people by telling lies on the witness stand.

"Do not join a crowd that intends to do evil. When you are the opinion of the majority. And do not slant your testimony in favor of a person just because that person is poor.

"If you come upon your enemy's ox or donkey that has strayed away, take it back to its owner. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you struggling beneath a heavy load, do not walk by. Instead, stop and offer to help.

"Do not twist justice against people simple because they are poor.

"Keep far away from falsely charging anyone with evil. Never put an innocent or honest person to death. I will not allow anyone guilty of this to go free.

Take no bribes, for a bribe makes you ignore something that you clearly see. a bribe always hurts the cause of the person who is in the right.

"Do not oppress the foreigners living among you. You know what it is like to be a foreigner. Remember your own experience in the land of Egypt.

"Plant and harvest your crops for six years, but let the land rest and lie fallow during the seventh year. Then let the poor among you harvest any volunteer crop that may come up. Leave the rest for the animals to eat. The same applies to your vineyards and olive groves.

Work for six days, and rest on the seventh. This will give your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It will also allow the people of your household, including your slaves and visitors, to be refreshed.

Be sure to obey all my instructions. And remember, never pray to or swear by any other gods. Do not even mention their names.

Exodus 23