Zechariah 8:17

17 Do not make evil plans against your neighbors. When you take an oath to tell the truth, do not lie. Many people love to do that. But I hate all of those things," announces the Lord.

Zechariah 8:17 Meaning and Commentary

Zechariah 8:17

And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against
his neighbour (See Gill on Zechariah 7:10) hatred without a cause was a governing vice under the second temple, and Jarchi says was the cause of the destruction of it; see ( John 15:25 ) : and love no false oath;
whereby the character and property of a fellow creature are hurt; nor any vain one, which the Jews were addicted to, ( Matthew 5:34 Matthew 5:35 ) : for all these [are things] that I hate, saith the Lord;
as being contrary to his nature, and to his law; and is a reason why they should be hated and avoided by men.

Zechariah 8:17 In-Context

15 But now I plan to do good things to Jerusalem and Judah again. So do not be afraid.

16 "Here is what you must do. Speak the truth to one another. Make true and wise decisions in your courts.

17 Do not make evil plans against your neighbors. When you take an oath to tell the truth, do not lie. Many people love to do that. But I hate all of those things," announces the Lord.

18 Another message came to me from the LORD who rules over all. He said,

19 "You have established special times to go without eating. They are your fasts in the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months. They will become days of joy. They will be happy times for Judah. It will happen if you take delight in telling the truth and bringing about peace."