Exodus 23:7
 Exodus 23:7 
New International Version (©2011)
Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.

New Living Translation (©2007)
"Be sure never to charge anyone falsely with evil. Never sentence an innocent or blameless person to death, for I never declare a guilty person to be innocent.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for I will not acquit the guilty.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent and the just, because I will not justify the guilty.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Stay far away from a false charge, and don't kill the innocent or the righteous, because I won't acquit the guilty.

NET Bible (©2006)
Keep your distance from a false charge--do not kill the innocent and the righteous, for I will not justify the wicked.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Avoid telling lies. Don't kill innocent or honest people, because I will never declare guilty people innocent.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Keep far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay you not: for I will not justify the wicked.

American King James Version
Keep you far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay you not: for I will not justify the wicked.

American Standard Version
Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt fly lying. The innocent and just person thou shalt not put to death: because I abhor the wicked.

Darby Bible Translation
Thou shalt keep far from the cause of falsehood; and the innocent and righteous slay not; for I will not justify the wicked.

English Revised Version
Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

Webster's Bible Translation
Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

World English Bible
"Keep far from a false charge, and don't kill the innocent and righteous: for I will not justify the wicked.

Young's Literal Translation
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.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

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.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. - Keep thee far from a false matter. Hold aloof, i.e., from anything like a false accusation. Neither bring one, nor countenance one, else those mayest cause the death of an innocent and righteous man, and bring down on thyself the vengeance of him, who will not justify the wicked.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Keep thee far from a false matter,.... Or "word" (z); from receiving a false testimony, or taking the false or wrong side of a cause, or engaging in a bad one; keep aloof off from it, as much at a distance from it as possible:

and the innocent and the righteous slay thou not; that is, do not condemn them to death, nor join with the majority in their condemnation, if they appear to be innocent and righteous; nor give orders, or join in giving orders to the executioner to put such to death. The Targum of Jonathan is,"he that goes righteous out of the house of thy judgment (out of the sanhedrim, to which he belonged), and they find out his sin (afterwards), and he that goes out guilty, and they (afterwards) find out his righteousness, do not slay:"

for I will not justify the wicked: the wicked judge in pronouncing an unjust sentence on innocent and righteous men, or if they absolve wicked men, at the same time they put to death the innocent and righteous, God will not justify those wicked men cleared by them, but will, in his own time and way, sooner or later, inflict the deserved punishment on them: this is not contrary to Romans 4:5 for though God justifies the ungodly, he does not justify ungodliness in them, or them in ungodliness, but from it, and that by the imputation of the righteousness of his Son.

(z) "a verbo mendacii", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Drusius, Junius & Tremellius, Tigurine version, Fagius.


Exodus 23:7 Parallel Commentaries

Exodus 23:7 NIV
Exodus 23:7 NLT
Exodus 23:7 ESV
Exodus 23:7 NASB
Exodus 23:7 KJV

Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Justice and Mercy
6You shall not wrest the judgment of your poor in his cause. 7Keep you far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay you not: for I will not justify the wicked. 8And you shall take no gift: for the gift blinds the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.

Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Genesis 18:23 Then Abraham approached him and said: "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
Exodus 20:13 "You shall not murder.
Exodus 20:16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Exodus 34:7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation."
Leviticus 19:16 "'Do not go about spreading slander among your people. "'Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I am the LORD.
Deuteronomy 25:1 When people have a dispute, they are to take it to court and the judges will decide the case, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty.
Deuteronomy 27:25 "Cursed is anyone who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
Psalm 94:21 The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
Psalm 119:29 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law.
Proverbs 17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent-- the LORD detests them both.