Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.
This is what the LORD says: Make fair and right decisions, and rescue those who are being robbed from their oppressors. Don't mistreat or harm foreigners, orphans, or widows, and don't kill innocent people in this place.
God is commanding leaders to act justly by protecting the vulnerable and stopping oppression rather than participating in it.
📚 Historical Context
Jeremiah spoke these words around 600 BC to the kings of Judah during a time of social injustice and corruption. The wealthy and powerful were exploiting the poor, and the justice system was failing to protect society's most vulnerable members. This was one of the key reasons God would eventually allow Babylon to conquer Jerusalem.
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