“You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.

A Call for Justice

“You must not pass along false rumors. You must not cooperate with evil people by lying on the witness stand.

“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.

or anything obtained by swearing falsely. You must make restitution by paying the full price plus an additional 20 percent to the person you have harmed. On the same day you must present a guilt offering.

“Do not bring shame on the name of your God by using it to swear falsely. I am the Lord.

“You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.

The false prophets or visionaries who try to lead you astray must be put to death, for they encourage rebellion against the Lord your God, who redeemed you from slavery and brought you out of the land of Egypt. Since they try to lead you astray from the way the Lord your God commanded you to live, you must put them to death. In this way you will purge the evil from among you.

True and False Prophets

Moses continued, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.

But any prophet who falsely claims to speak in my name or who speaks in the name of another god must die.’

The judges must investigate the case thoroughly. If the accuser has brought false charges against his fellow Israelite,

For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins.

You must never have a foreign god; you must not bow down before a false god.

Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.

Each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way.

I hate and abhor all falsehood, but I love your instructions.

a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.

An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies.

An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies.

A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.

A false witness will not go unpunished, nor will a liar escape.

A false witness will not go unpunished, and a liar will be destroyed.

False weights and unequal measures— the Lord detests double standards of every kind.

A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.

Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting— they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings.

Those who convict the innocent by their false testimony will disappear. A similar fate awaits those who use trickery to pervert justice and who tell lies to destroy the innocent.