Zechariah 8:17

17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his friend: and love not a false oath: for all these are the things that I hate, saith 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 And I had no mercy: so turning again I have thought in these days to do good to the house of Juda, and Jerusalem: fear not.

16 These then are the things, which you shall do: Speak ye truth every one to his neighbour; judge ye truth and judgment of peace in your gates.

17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his friend: and love not a false oath: for all these are the things that I hate, saith the Lord.

18 And the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying:

19 Thus saith the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Juda, joy, and gladness, and great solemnities: only love ye truth and peace.