Deuteronomy 24

1 si acceperit homo uxorem et habuerit eam et non invenerit gratiam ante oculos eius propter aliquam foeditatem scribet libellum repudii et dabit in manu illius et dimittet eam de domo sua

2 cumque egressa alterum maritum duxerit

3 et ille quoque oderit eam dederitque ei libellum repudii et dimiserit de domo sua vel certe mortuus fuerit

4 non poterit prior maritus recipere eam in uxorem quia polluta est et abominabilis facta est coram Domino ne peccare facias terram tuam quam Dominus Deus tuus tibi tradiderit possidendam

5 cum acceperit homo nuper uxorem non procedet ad bellum nec ei quippiam necessitatis iniungetur publicae sed vacabit absque culpa domui suae ut uno anno laetetur cum uxore sua

6 non accipies loco pignoris inferiorem et superiorem molam quia animam suam adposuit tibi

7 si deprehensus fuerit homo sollicitans fratrem suum de filiis Israhel et vendito eo accipiens pretium interficietur et auferes malum de medio tui

8 observa diligenter ne incurras in plagam leprae sed facies quaecumque docuerint te sacerdotes levitici generis iuxta id quod praecepi eis et imple sollicite

9 mementote quae fecerit Dominus Deus vester Mariae in via cum egrederemini de Aegypto

10 cum repetes a proximo tuo rem aliquam quam debet tibi non ingredieris domum eius ut pignus auferas

11 sed stabis foris et ille tibi proferet quod habuerit

12 sin autem pauper est non pernoctabit apud te pignus

13 sed statim reddes ei ante solis occasum ut dormiens in vestimento suo benedicat tibi et habeas iustitiam coram Domino Deo tuo

14 non negabis mercedem indigentis et pauperis fratris tui sive advenae qui tecum moratur in terra et intra portas tuas est

15 sed eadem die reddes ei pretium laboris sui ante solis occasum quia pauper est et ex eo sustentat animam suam ne clamet contra te ad Dominum et reputetur tibi in peccatum

16 non occidentur patres pro filiis nec filii pro patribus sed unusquisque pro suo peccato morietur

17 non pervertes iudicium advenae et pupilli nec auferes pignoris loco viduae vestimentum

18 memento quod servieris in Aegypto et eruerit te Dominus Deus tuus inde idcirco praecipio tibi ut facias hanc rem

19 quando messueris segetem in agro tuo et oblitus manipulum reliqueris non reverteris ut tollas eum sed advenam et pupillum et viduam auferre patieris ut benedicat tibi Dominus Deus tuus in omni opere manuum tuarum

20 si fruges colliges olivarum quicquid remanserit in arboribus non reverteris ut colligas sed relinques advenae pupillo ac viduae

21 si vindemiaveris vineam tuam non colliges remanentes racemos sed cedent in usus advenae pupilli ac viduae

22 memento quod et tu servieris in Aegypto et idcirco praecipiam tibi ut facias hanc rem

Deuteronomy 24 Commentary

Chapter 24

Of divorce. (1-4) Of new-married persons, Of man-stealers, Of pledges. (5-13) Of justice and generosity. (14-22)

Verses 1-4 Where the providence of God, or his own wrong choice in marriage, has allotted to a Christian a trial instead of a help meet; he will from his heart prefer bearing the cross, to such relief as tends to sin, confusion, and misery. Divine grace will sanctify this cross, support under it, and teach so to behave, as will gradually render it more tolerable.

Verses 5-13 It is of great consequence that love be kept up between husband and wife; that they carefully avoid every thing which might make them strange one to another. Man-stealing was a capital crime, which could not be settled, as other thefts, by restitution. The laws concerning leprosy must be carefully observed. Thus all who feel their consciences under guilt and wrath, must not cover it, or endeavour to shake off their convictions; but by repentance, and prayer, and humble confession, take the way to peace and pardon. Some orders are given about pledges for money lent. This teaches us to consult the comfort and subsistence of others, as much as our own advantage. Let the poor debtor sleep in his own raiment, and praise God for thy kindness to him. Poor debtors ought to feel more than commonly they do, the goodness of creditors who do not take all the advantage of the law against them, nor should this ever be looked upon as weakness.

Verses 14-22 It is not hard to prove that purity, piety, justice, mercy, fair conduct, kindness to the poor and destitute, consideration for them, and generosity of spirit, are pleasing to God, and becoming in his redeemed people. The difficulty is to attend to them in our daily walk and conversation.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 24

This chapter contains various laws concerning divorces, De 24:1-4; the discharge of a newly married man from war and business, De 24:5; about taking pledges, De 24:6,10-13; man stealing, De 24:7; the plague of leprosy, De 24:8,9; and giving servants their hire in due time, De 24:14,15; concerning doing justice in capital cases, and towards the stranger, fatherless, and widow, De 24:16-18; and of charity to the poor, in allowing them the forgotten sheaf, and the gleanings of their oliveyards and vineyards, De 24:19-22.