Deuteronomy 19:18

18 The judges must conduct a careful investigation; if the witness turns out to be a false witness and has lied against his fellow Israelite,

Deuteronomy 19:18 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 19:18

And the judges shall make diligent inquisition
Into the case before them, into the nature of the evidence and proof that each witness brings for or against; so the Targum of Jonathan,

``the judges shall interrogate the witness, by whom these things are said, well;''

shall thoroughly examine the testimony given, and look carefully into it:

and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified
falsely against his brother;
it appears plainly by full evidence that he has testified a falsehood of him.

Deuteronomy 19:18 In-Context

16 If a hostile witness stands to accuse someone of a wrong,
17 then both parties involved in the quarrel must stand in the Presence of God before the priests and judges who are in office at that time.
18 The judges must conduct a careful investigation; if the witness turns out to be a false witness and has lied against his fellow Israelite,
19 give him the same medicine he intended for the other party. Clean the polluting evil from your company.
20 People will hear of what you've done and be impressed; that will put a stop to this kind of evil among you.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.