Jeremiah 22:3
New International Version
This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.

New Living Translation
This is what the LORD says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent!

English Standard Version
Thus says the LORD: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.

Berean Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.

King James Bible
Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.

New King James Version
Thus says the LORD: “Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.

New American Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “Do justice and righteousness, and save one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. And do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.

NASB 1995
Thus says the LORD, “Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.

NASB 1977
‘Thus says the LORD, “Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus says Yahweh, “Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the sojourner, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.

Amplified Bible
Thus says the LORD, “Execute justice and righteousness, and rescue the one who has been robbed from the hand of his oppressor. And do no wrong; do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.

Christian Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from his oppressor. Don’t exploit or brutalize the resident alien, the fatherless, or the widow. Don’t shed innocent blood in this place.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Don’t exploit or brutalize the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Don’t shed innocent blood in this place.

American Standard Version
Thus saith Jehovah: Execute ye justice and righteousness, and deliver him that is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence, to the sojourner, the fatherless, nor the widow; neither shed innocent blood in this place.

English Revised Version
Thus saith the LORD: Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence, to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"This is what the LORD says: Judge fairly, and do what is right. Rescue those who have been robbed from those who oppress them. Don't mistreat foreigners, orphans, or widows, and don't oppress them. Don't kill innocent people in this place.

Good News Translation
"I, the LORD, command you to do what is just and right. Protect the person who is being cheated from the one who is cheating him. Do not mistreat or oppress aliens, orphans, or widows; and do not kill innocent people in this holy place.

International Standard Version
This is what the LORD says: "Uphold justice and righteousness. Deliver from their oppressor those who have been robbed. Don't mistreat or do violence to the alien, the orphan, or the widow, or shed the blood of innocent people in this place.

Majority Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.

NET Bible
The LORD says, "Do what is just and right. Deliver those who have been robbed from those who oppress them. Do not exploit or mistreat foreigners who live in your land, children who have no fathers, or widows. Do not kill innocent people in this land.

New Heart English Bible
Thus says the LORD: "Execute justice and righteousness, and deliver him who is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence, to the foreigner, the fatherless, nor the widow; neither shed innocent blood in this place.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver him that is laid waste out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.

World English Bible
Yahweh says: “Execute justice and righteousness, and deliver him who is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong. Do no violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Don’t shed innocent blood in this place.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Thus said YHWH: “Do judgment and righteousness, "" And deliver the plundered from the hand of the oppressor, "" And sojourner, orphan, and widow, you do not oppress nor wrong, "" And innocent blood you do not shed in this place.

Young's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah: Do ye judgment and righteousness, And deliver the plundered from the hand of the oppressor, And sojourner, orphan, and widow, ye do not oppress nor wrong, And innocent blood ye do not shed in this place.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah, Do ye judgment and justice, and deliver him taken by force, from the hand of him oppressing: ye shall not be violent, ye shall not oppress the stranger, the orphan, and the widow, and ye shall not pour but innocent blood in this place.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord: Execute judgement and justice, and deliver him that is oppressed out of the hand of the oppressor: and afflict not the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, nor oppress them unjustly: and shed not innocent blood in this place.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus says the Lord: Exercise judgment and justice, and free anyone who is oppressed by violence from the hand of a false accuser. And do not be willing to sadden the new arrival, or the orphan, or the widow, nor should you burden them unfairly. And you shall not shed innocent blood in this place.

New American Bible
Thus says the LORD: Do what is right and just. Rescue the victims from the hand of their oppressors. Do not wrong or oppress the resident alien, the orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.

New Revised Standard Version
Thus says the LORD: Act with justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the alien, the orphan, and the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thus says the LORD: Execute justice and righteousness, and deliver the oppressed from the hand of the oppressor; and do no wrong, do no violence to the strangers, the fatherless, and the widows, nor shed innocent blood in this place.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
So says LORD JEHOVAH: ‘Do judgment and righteousness, and save the oppressed from him who oppresses him, and you shall not take advantage of the foreigners and the orphans and the widows, and you shall not oppress, and you shall not shed innocent blood in this place
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus saith the LORD: Execute ye justice and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor; and do no wrong, do no violence, to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
thus saith the Lord; Execute ye judgment and justice, and rescue the spoiled out of the hand of him that wrongs him: and oppress not the stranger, and orphan, and widow, and sin not, and shed no innocent blood in this place.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Warning for Judah's Kings
2saying, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, who sits on the throne of David—you and your officials and your people who enter these gates. 3This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place. 4For if you will indeed carry out these commands, then kings who sit on David’s throne will enter through the gates of this palace riding on chariots and horses—they and their officials and their people.…

Cross References
Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Zechariah 7:9-10
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’

Psalm 82:3-4
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.

Proverbs 31:8-9
Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. / Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

Isaiah 58:6-7
Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Amos 5:14-15
Seek good, not evil, so that you may live. And the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have claimed. / Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”

Ezekiel 18:7-9
He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. / He does not engage in usury or take excess interest, but he withholds his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between men. / He follows My statutes and faithfully keeps My ordinances. That man is righteous; surely he will live, declares the Lord GOD.

Deuteronomy 24:17
Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security.

Exodus 22:21-24
You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt. / You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. / If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. ...

Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Luke 11:42
Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.

James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Luke 3:10-14
The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” / John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.” / Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” ...


Treasury of Scripture

Thus said the LORD; Execute you judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.

Execute.

Jeremiah 5:28
They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.

Jeremiah 9:24
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 21:12
O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

do no wrong.

Jeremiah 29:17
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.

do no violence.

Deuteronomy 10:18
He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.

Deuteronomy 24:7
If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.

Deuteronomy 27:19
Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

neither.

Jeremiah 22:17
But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.

Jeremiah 7:6
If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:

Jeremiah 26:16
Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.

Jump to Previous
Blood Deliver Execute Fatherless Foreigner Hand Innocent Judgment Justice Laid Oppressor Righteousness Robbed Shed Spoiled Stranger Violence Waste Widow Wrong
Jump to Next
Blood Deliver Execute Fatherless Foreigner Hand Innocent Judgment Justice Laid Oppressor Righteousness Robbed Shed Spoiled Stranger Violence Waste Widow Wrong
Jeremiah 22
1. He exhorts to repentance, with promises and threats.
10. The judgment of Shallum;
13. of Jehoiakim;
20. and of Coniah.














This is what the LORD says
The phrase underscores the divine authority behind the message. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This introduction serves as a reminder that the instructions are not mere human advice but divine commands, carrying the weight of God's sovereign will.

Administer justice and righteousness
The Hebrew words for "justice" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat) and "righteousness" (צְדָקָה, tzedakah) are often paired in the Old Testament, reflecting God's character and His expectations for His people. "Mishpat" involves fair and equitable treatment, while "tzedakah" refers to living in a way that is morally right and just. Together, they call for a society that reflects God's holiness and compassion.

Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor
This phrase highlights God's concern for the oppressed and His call for active intervention. The Hebrew word for "rescue" (חָלַץ, chalats) implies a forceful deliverance, suggesting that God's people are to be proactive in defending those who are wronged. The "oppressor" (עָשַׁק, ashaq) is one who exploits or defrauds others, and God's command is to break the cycle of injustice.

Do not exploit or brutalize the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow
The trio of "foreigner" (גֵּר, ger), "fatherless" (יָתוֹם, yatom), and "widow" (אַלְמָנָה, almanah) represents the most vulnerable in society. God's law repeatedly emphasizes protection for these groups, reflecting His heart for the marginalized. "Exploit" (עָשַׁק, ashaq) and "brutalize" (חָמַס, chamas) are strong terms denoting oppression and violence, which God explicitly condemns.

Do not shed innocent blood in this place
The prohibition against shedding "innocent blood" (דָּם נָקִי, dam naki) underscores the sanctity of life. In the historical context, this command was particularly poignant as Jerusalem was rife with corruption and violence. "This place" refers to the land God gave His people, which was to be a reflection of His kingdom, a place of peace and justice.

(3) Execute ye judgment.--As the Hebrew verb is not identical with that in Jeremiah 21:12, and implies a less formal act, it might be better to render it, do ye judgment . . .

Do no wrong . . .--The Hebrew order connects both verbs with the substantives--to the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, do no wrong, no violence--and gives the latter the emphasis of position. The whole verse paints but too vividly a reign which presented the very reverse of all that the prophet describes as belonging to a righteous king.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is what
כֹּ֣ה ׀ (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

says:
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

Administer
עֲשׂ֤וּ (‘ă·śū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

justice
מִשְׁפָּט֙ (miš·pāṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

and righteousness.
וּצְדָקָ֔ה (ū·ṣə·ḏā·qāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively

Rescue
וְהַצִּ֥ילוּ (wə·haṣ·ṣî·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver

the victim of robbery
גָז֖וּל (ḡā·zūl)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 1497: To pluck off, to flay, strip, rob

from the hand
מִיַּ֣ד (mî·yaḏ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of his oppressor.
עָשׁ֑וֹק (‘ā·šō·wq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6216: Oppressor, extortioner

Do no
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

wrong
תֹּנוּ֙ (tō·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3238: To rage, be violent, to suppress, to maltreat

or violence
תַּחְמֹ֔סוּ (taḥ·mō·sū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 2554: To treat violently or wrong

to the foreigner,
וְגֵר֩ (wə·ḡêr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1616: A guest, a foreigner

the fatherless,
יָת֨וֹם (yā·ṯō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3490: A bereaved person

or the widow.
וְאַלְמָנָ֤ה (wə·’al·mā·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 490: A widow, a desolate place

Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

shed
תִּשְׁפְּכ֖וּ (tiš·pə·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8210: To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out

innocent
נָקִ֔י (nā·qî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5355: Clean, free from, exempt

blood
וְדָ֣ם (wə·ḏām)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed

in this
הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

place.
בַּמָּק֥וֹם (bam·mā·qō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition


Links
Jeremiah 22:3 NIV
Jeremiah 22:3 NLT
Jeremiah 22:3 ESV
Jeremiah 22:3 NASB
Jeremiah 22:3 KJV

Jeremiah 22:3 BibleApps.com
Jeremiah 22:3 Biblia Paralela
Jeremiah 22:3 Chinese Bible
Jeremiah 22:3 French Bible
Jeremiah 22:3 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Jeremiah 22:3 Thus says Yahweh: Execute you justice (Jer.)
Jeremiah 22:2
Top of Page
Top of Page