Exodus 23:1-13

Exodus 23:1-13 MSG

“Don’t pass on malicious gossip. “Don’t link up with a wicked person and give corrupt testimony. Don’t go along with the crowd in doing evil and don’t mess up your testimony in a case just to please the crowd. And just because someone is poor, don’t show favoritism in a dispute. “If you find your enemy’s ox or donkey loose, take it back to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you lying helpless under its load, don’t walk off and leave it. Help it up. “When there is a dispute concerning your poor, don’t tamper with the justice due them. “Stay clear of false accusations. Don’t contribute to the death of innocent and good people. I don’t let the wicked off the hook. “Don’t take bribes. Bribes blind perfectly good eyes and twist the speech of good people. “Don’t take advantage of a stranger. You know what it’s like to be a stranger; you were strangers in Egypt. “Sow your land for six years and gather in its crops, but in the seventh year leave it alone and give it a rest so that your poor may eat from it. What they leave, let the wildlife have. Do the same with your vineyards and olive groves. “Work for six days and rest the seventh so your ox and donkey may rest and your servant and migrant workers may have time to get their needed rest. “Listen carefully to everything I tell you. Don’t pay attention to other gods—don’t so much as mention their names. * * *