Zechariah 8:16

16 But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace.

Zechariah 8:16 Meaning and Commentary

Zechariah 8:16

These [are] the things that ye shall do
Which were duties incumbent on them, and which it became them to perform, under a sense of the favours bestowed on them, to show their gratitude to God, and that they might glorify him: Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour;
not using deceit, prevarication, and lying, ( Ephesians 4:25 ) and it becomes every man under the Gospel dispensation, according to the gift he has received, to speak, publish, and declare the truth of the Gospel, to the edification of others: execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates;
that is, execute true judgment, as in ( Zechariah 7:9 ) do justice between man and man, without respect of persons; the issue of which will be peace between the contending parties: and this was to be done in their "gates", because there their courts of judicature were kept.

Zechariah 8:16 In-Context

14 “For this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: I was determined to punish you when your ancestors angered me, and I did not change my mind, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

15 But now I am determined to bless Jerusalem and the people of Judah. So don’t be afraid.

16 But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace.

17 Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the LORD .”

18 Here is another message that came to me from the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.