Exodus 23:1-11

1 [The LORD continued,] "Never spread false rumors. Don't join forces with wicked people by giving false testimony.
2 Never follow a crowd in doing wrong. When you testify in court, don't side with the majority to pervert justice.
3 Never give special favors to poor people in court.
4 "Whenever you come across your enemy's ox or donkey wandering loose, be sure to take it back to him.
5 Whenever you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load, don't leave it there. Be sure to help him with his animal.
6 "Never deny justice to poor people in court.
7 Avoid telling lies. Don't kill innocent or honest people, because I will never declare guilty people innocent.
8 Never take a bribe, because bribes blind those who can see and deny justice to those who are in the right.
9 "Never oppress foreigners. You know what it's like to be foreigners because you were foreigners living in Egypt.
10 "For six years you may plant crops in your fields and harvest them,
11 but in the seventh year you must leave the land unplowed and unused. In that way the poor among your people will have food to eat, and wild animals may eat what the poor people leave. You must do the same with your vineyards and olive groves.
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