Psalm 15

A psalm of David.

¹⁷ Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless^(A) of justice,^(B) or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. ¹⁸ Remember that you were slaves in Egypt^(C) and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.

¹⁹ When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it.^(D) Leave it for the foreigner,^(E) the fatherless and the widow,^(F) so that the Lord your God may bless^(G) you in all the work of your hands. ²⁰ When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time.^(H) Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. ²¹ When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. ²² Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.^(I)

25 When people have a dispute, they are to take it to court and the judges^(J) will decide the case,^(K) acquitting^(L) the innocent and condemning the guilty.^{(M) 2} If the guilty person deserves to be beaten,^(N) the judge shall make them lie down and have them flogged in his presence with the number of lashes the crime deserves, ³ but the judge must not impose more than forty lashes.^(O) If the guilty party is flogged more than that, your fellow Israelite will be degraded in your eyes.^(P)

⁴ Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.^(Q)

¹⁷ The elders^(A) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,^(B) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”^[a](C) and “The worker deserves his wages.”^{[b](D) 19} Do not entertain an accusation against an elder^(E) unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.^{(F) 20} But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove^(G) before everyone, so that the others may take warning.^{(H) 21} I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus^(I) and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

²² Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands,^(J) and do not share in the sins of others.^(K) Keep yourself pure.^(L)

²³ Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine^(M) because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

²⁴ The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.