18 And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;
18 The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against a fellow Israelite,
18 The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely,
18 The judges must conduct a careful investigation; if the witness turns out to be a false witness and has lied against his fellow Israelite,
18 And the judges shall make careful inquiry, and indeed, if the witness is a false witness, who has testified falsely against his brother,
18 The judges must investigate the case thoroughly. If the accuser has brought false charges against his fellow Israelite,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:18
Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:15-21
(Read Deuteronomy 19:15-21)
Sentence should never be passed upon the testimony of one witness alone. A false witness should suffer the same punishment which he sought to have inflicted upon the person he accused. Nor could any law be more just. Let all Christians not only be cautious in bearing witness in public, but be careful not to join in private slanders; and let all whose consciences accuse them of crime, without delay flee for refuge to the hope set before them in Jesus Christ.