. OATHS. "Above all things, my brothers, do not use oaths, whether 'by heaven' or 'by earth' or by anything else. When you say yes or no, let it be plain 'Yes' or 'No', for fear that you expose yourselves to Judgement." (James 5:12 NEB).
"Again, you have learned that our
forefathers were told, "Do not break your oath", and, "Oaths sworn to the Lord
must be kept." But what I tell you is this: You are
not to swear at all "Do not become a witness against your fellow man without grounds. Then you would have to be foolish with your lips (1) Do not say: "Just as he did to me, so I am going to do to him. I shall repay to each one according to his acting." (Prov 24:28,29).
"Do not inure your mouth to oaths or make a habit of
naming the Holy One. As a slave constantly under the lash is never
free from weals, so the man who has oaths and the Sacred Name for ever on his
lips will never be clear of guilt. A man given to swearing is lawless to the
core; the scourge will never be far from his house. If he goes back on his word,
he must bear the blame; if he wilfully neglects it, he sins twice over; if his oath itself was insincere, he cannot be
acquitted; his house will be filled with trouble." (Eccus 23:9 (1) Misrepresent him in your evidence. (NEB).
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