Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow’s raiment to pledge:
Thou shalt not turn aside the legal right of the stranger and the fatherless in judgment, nor take a widow's clothing as security for a debt or pledge. The prohibition is against denying justice to strangers or fatherless persons and against exploiting the widow by holding her garment. It requires fair, just, kind and compassionate treatment of people who are vulnerable, of strangers, orphans and widows.
The reason given for this care is remembrance of former bondage in Egypt, for deliverance from slavery there placed Israel under special obligation to act justly and kindly in this way. In its wider setting the command also requires leaving some of the harvest produce for the stranger, the orphan and the widow. These commands reveal the same principles of mercy, compassion and love taught by Jesus, and practicing them prevents oppression and reflects God's character.
The command requires strict integrity in all the details of life, especially in business. It forbids selfish gain, deception and oppression in buying and selling, and requires acting as under God's eye with perfect fairness. That means paying laborers promptly, charging only a fair price, disclosing defects, refusing to take advantage of a neighbor's hardship, and relieving the necessities of the less fortunate, so that God may bless the work of the hands.
The command expresses God's will for the rulers of Israel to judge righteously by dealing justly with the widow and fatherless, maintaining the right of the stranger, relieving the oppressed, and receiving no bribes to clear the guilty or punish the innocent. Turning aside after profit, taking bribes and perverting judgment violates this command. The same instruction applies today to rulers and judges of the nations, calling for God-fearing people who labor unselfishly for human welfare, judge with equity, and serve with moral integrity in legislative halls and courts of justice, and for people of honor, piety and purity sanctified by the Spirit and the word to minister in holy office in the churches.
Thou shalt not turn aside the legal right of the stranger and the fatherless in judgment, nor take a widow's clothing as security for a debt or pledge. The prohibition is against denying justice to strangers or fatherless persons and against exploiting the widow by holding her garment. It requires fair, just, kind and compassionate treatment of people who are vulnerable, of strangers, orphans and widows.
The reason given for this care is remembrance of former bondage in Egypt, for deliverance from slavery there placed Israel under special obligation to act justly and kindly in this way. In its wider setting the command also requires leaving some of the harvest produce for the stranger, the orphan and the widow. These commands reveal the same principles of mercy, compassion and love taught by Jesus, and practicing them prevents oppression and reflects God's character.
The command requires strict integrity in all the details of life, especially in business. It forbids selfish gain, deception and oppression in buying and selling, and requires acting as under God's eye with perfect fairness. That means paying laborers promptly, charging only a fair price, disclosing defects, refusing to take advantage of a neighbor's hardship, and relieving the necessities of the less fortunate, so that God may bless the work of the hands.
The command expresses God's will for the rulers of Israel to judge righteously by dealing justly with the widow and fatherless, maintaining the right of the stranger, relieving the oppressed, and receiving no bribes to clear the guilty or punish the innocent. Turning aside after profit, taking bribes and perverting judgment violates this command. The same instruction applies today to rulers and judges of the nations, calling for God-fearing people who labor unselfishly for human welfare, judge with equity, and serve with moral integrity in legislative halls and courts of justice, and for people of honor, piety and purity sanctified by the Spirit and the word to minister in holy office in the churches.