And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
Don't take advantage of widows, kids without parents, immigrants, or people struggling financially. And don't even think about plotting harm against each other, not even in your head.
Protect the vulnerable and keep your heart clean from schemes against others.
📚 Historical Context
Zechariah was a prophet speaking to the Jewish people who had returned from exile in Babylon around 520 BC, as they were rebuilding their society and the temple. In this verse, God is warning them against oppressing vulnerable groups like widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor, which had been a persistent social problem during and after the exile. This message echoes the longstanding biblical emphasis on justice and care for the marginalized, as seen in earlier laws and prophecies.
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