James 5:12 But above all things, my brothers, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath… It is not without interest to note that in this respect the practice of the Essenes, in their efforts after holiness, was after the pattern of the preaching of St. James. They, too, avoided oaths as being no less an evil than perjury itself ( Josephus, "Wars" 2:08, 85). They, however, with a somewhat strange inconsistency, bound the members of their own society by "tremendous oaths" of obedience and secrecy. (Dean Plumptre.) Parallel Verses KJV: But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. |
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