Deuteronomy 19:18

Verse

The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother,

American Standard Version (1901)

and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and have testified falsely against his brother;

Bible in Basic English

And the judges will have the question looked into with care: and if the witness is seen to be false and to have made a false statement against his brother,

Douay-Rheims 1899

And when after most diligent inquisition, they shall find that the false witness hath told a lie against his brother:

Free Bible Version

The judges shall conduct a full investigation, and if the accuser proves to be a liar who has made false accusations

Geneva Bible 1599

And the Iudges shall make diligent inquisition: and if the witnesse be found false, and hath giuen false witnes against his brother,

King James (Authorized) Version

And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;

One Unity Resource Bible

and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother;

Translation for Translators

The judges must ◄investigate the case carefully/try to find out which one is telling the truth►. If the judges determine that one of them has accused the other falsely,

Unlocked Literal Bible

The judges must make diligent inquiries; see, if the witness is a false witness and has testified falsely against his brother,

Noah Webster Bible

And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and behold, if the witness is a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;

World English Bible

and the judges shall make diligent inquisition; and behold, if the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother,

Young's Literal Translation

and the judges have searched diligently, and lo, the witness [is] a false witness, a falsehood he hath testified against his brother:

Context

The Testimony of Two or Three Witnesses

¹⁷both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time.¹⁸The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, ¹⁹you must do to him as he intended to do to his brother. So you must purge the evil from among you.

Summary

This verse in Deuteronomy emphasizes the importance of thorough investigation and justice in handling legal disputes. It instructs judges and officials to diligently inquire into cases of false witness and malicious accusations to prevent injustice. By ensuring that the guilty party receives the appropriate punishment, the community is kept free from the harm caused by deceit and wrongdoing. The verse underscores the value of truth, integrity, and fairness in upholding the law and maintaining a just society according to God's standards.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Then shall ye do unto him as he had thought to have done unto his brother,.... Inflict the same fine or punishment on him he thought to have brought his brother under by his false testimony of him; whether any pecuniary fine, or whipping and scourging, or the loss of a member, or the value of it, or death itself; whether stoning, strangling, burning, or killing with the sword: though, in the case of accusing a priest's daughter of adultery, as Jarchi observes, such were not to be burnt, as would have been her case if proved, but strangled: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you; the evil man that bears a false testimony of his brother, or the guilt of sin which would be incurred by conniving at him.