Study Desk

"Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.'

Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

"But I say to you, take no oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God,

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, nor by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING.

Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

"Nor shall you take an oath by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black.

Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

"But make sure your statement is, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil origin.

But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.