Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’ New Living Translation Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other. English Standard Version do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” Berean Standard Bible Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ Berean Literal Bible and the widow and fatherless, the sojourner and the poor, you⁺ shall not oppress; and you⁺ shall not devise in your⁺ heart the evil of a man against his brother!’ King James Bible 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. New King James Version Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart Against his brother.’ New American Standard Bible and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’ NASB 1995 and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’ NASB 1977 and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’ Legacy Standard Bible and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the sojourner or the afflicted; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’ Amplified Bible and do not oppress or exploit the widow or the fatherless, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise or even imagine evil in your hearts against one another.’ Berean Annotated Bible Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your⁺ hearts against one another. Christian Standard Bible Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the resident alien or the poor, and do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ Holman Christian Standard Bible Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor, and do not plot evil in your hearts against one another. American Standard Version and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the sojourner, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart. Contemporary English Version Don't mistreat widows or orphans or foreigners or anyone who is poor, and stop making plans to hurt each other." English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation Don't oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and poor people. And don't even think of doing evil to each other. Good News Translation Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners who live among you, or anyone else in need. And do not plan ways of harming one another.' International Standard Version You are not to wrong the widow, orphans, the foreigner, or the poor, and you are not to plan evil against each other. NET Bible You must not oppress the widow, the orphan, the foreigner, or the poor, nor should anyone secretly plot evil against his fellow human being.' New Heart English Bible Do not oppress the widow, nor the fatherless, the foreigner, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.' Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleDo not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ World English Bible Don’t oppress the widow, the fatherless, the foreigner, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd do not oppress widow, and fatherless, "" Sojourner, and poor, "" And you do not devise the calamity of one another in your heart. Berean Literal Bible and the widow and fatherless, the sojourner and the poor, you⁺ shall not oppress; and you⁺ shall not devise in your⁺ heart the evil of a man against his brother!’ Young's Literal Translation And widow, and fatherless, Sojourner, and poor, ye do not oppress, And the calamity of one another ye do not devise in your heart. Smith's Literal Translation And the widow and the orphan, the stranger and the poor, ye shall not oppress; and ye shall not purpose evil in your heart a man to his brother. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd oppress not the widow, and the fatherless, and the stranger, and the poor: and let not a man devise evil in his heart against his brother. Catholic Public Domain Version And do not find fault with the widow, and the orphan, and the newcomer, and the poor. And let not a man consider evil in his heart towards his brother. New American Bible Do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the resident alien or the poor; do not plot evil against one another in your hearts. New Revised Standard Version do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd do not oppress the widow nor the orphan, the poor nor the proselyte; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in his heart. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the widow and the orphan and the poor and the convert to me you shall not cheat and you shall not oppress, neither shall you devise evil, any man against his brother, in your heart OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart. Brenton Septuagint Translation and oppress not the widow, or the fatherless, or the stranger, or the poor; and let not one of you remember in his heart the injury of his brother. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A Call to Justice and Mercy…9“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. 10Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ 11But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing.… Cross References Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, Exodus 22:22-24 You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. / If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. / My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children will be fatherless. Deuteronomy 24:17-18 Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security. / Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from that place. Therefore I am commanding you to do this. James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. the foreigner or the poor. Leviticus 19:9-10 When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. / You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God. Exodus 23:9 Do not oppress a foreign resident, since you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. Proverbs 19:17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ Micah 2:1-2 Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. / They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance. Proverbs 3:29-30 Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he trustfully dwells beside you. / Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm. Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, … Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Matthew 25:35-40 For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? … Proverbs 31:8-9 Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. / Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. Jeremiah 22:3 This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place. Exodus 22:21-24 You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt. / You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. / If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. … Deuteronomy 10:18-19 He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. / So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt. Treasury of Scripture 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. oppress. Exodus 22:21-24 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt… Exodus 23:9 Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy 24:14-18 Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates: … imagine. Psalm 21:11 For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform. Psalm 36:4 He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil. Psalm 140:2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. Jump to Previous Afflicted Alien Calamity Child Country Devise Evil Fatherless Foreigner Hard Heart Hearts Imagine Oppress Orphan Poor Sojourner Strange Stranger Think WidowJump to Next Afflicted Alien Calamity Child Country Devise Evil Fatherless Foreigner Hard Heart Hearts Imagine Oppress Orphan Poor Sojourner Strange Stranger Think WidowZechariah 7 1. The captives enquire concerning the set fasts.4. Zechariah reproves the hypocrisy of their fasting. 8. Sin the cause of their captivity. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless In ancient Israel, widows and orphans were among the most vulnerable members of society, lacking the protection and provision typically provided by a male head of household. The Mosaic Law repeatedly emphasizes the need to care for these groups (Exodus 22:22-24, Deuteronomy 10:18). This command reflects God's character as a defender of the helpless (Psalm 68:5). The prophets often rebuked Israel for failing to uphold justice for these individuals, highlighting societal corruption and neglect (Isaiah 1:17, Jeremiah 7:6). This call to justice is a recurring theme, underscoring the importance of compassion and righteousness in community life. the foreigner or the poor And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another. Persons / Places / Events 1. ZechariahA prophet in the post-exilic period who received visions and messages from God to encourage the Israelites in rebuilding the temple and renewing their covenant with God. 2. The Israelites The people of God who had returned from Babylonian exile and were in the process of rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple. 3. Widows, Orphans, Foreigners, and the Poor Groups specifically mentioned in Zechariah 7:10 as those who should not be oppressed, representing the vulnerable and marginalized in society. Teaching Points God's Heart for JusticeGod consistently calls His people to act justly and show mercy, reflecting His character. The Call to Compassion Believers are called to actively care for and protect those who are vulnerable in society, such as widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. Avoiding Oppression The command to not oppress others is a timeless principle that requires self-examination and societal awareness. Reflecting God's Love Our treatment of the marginalized is a reflection of our relationship with God and understanding of His love. Practical Obedience True faith is demonstrated through actions that align with God's commands, including social justice and mercy. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Zechariah 7:10?2. How can we "not oppress the widow" in today's society? 3. What does it mean to "show mercy and compassion" in Zechariah 7:10? 4. How does Zechariah 7:10 connect with James 1:27 on caring for others? 5. In what ways can we avoid "plotting evil" against our neighbors? 6. How can we apply Zechariah 7:10 in our daily interactions with others? 7. How does Zechariah 7:10 challenge our treatment of the vulnerable in society today? 8. What historical context influenced the message of Zechariah 7:10? 9. How does Zechariah 7:10 relate to the broader theme of justice in the Bible? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Zechariah 7? 11. What defines social justice? 12. What does the Bible say about Christian civil rights? 13. What is the definition of white privilege? 14. What does the Bible say about justice? What Does Zechariah 7:10 Mean Do not oppress the widow“Do not oppress the widow...” (Zechariah 7:10) • God consistently defends widows, commanding His people to do the same (Exodus 22:22-24; Deuteronomy 10:18). • Oppression can look like ignoring needs, withholding justice, or exploiting vulnerability. • The early church cared for widows practically (Acts 6:1-6), modeling genuine faith (James 1:27). • To obey, we step toward widows—listening, providing, protecting—because God calls Himself “a Father to the fatherless and a defender of widows” (Psalm 68:5). Do not oppress the fatherless “...or the fatherless...” • Orphans lack the parental covering God designed; He instructs His people to fill that gap (Deuteronomy 14:29; 24:17-21). • Scripture links care for orphans with covenant faithfulness (Isaiah 1:16-17). • Practical obedience includes adoption, foster care, mentorship, and generosity toward ministries serving children without parents. Do not oppress the foreigner “...the foreigner...” • Israel was told, “Love the foreigner, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:19). • God’s law demanded equal justice for the resident alien (Leviticus 24:22), reflecting His impartial character. • Today, the principle calls believers to welcome immigrants, refugees, and international students, ensuring fair treatment and compassionate hospitality (Leviticus 19:34; Matthew 25:35). Do not oppress the poor “...or the poor.” • The poor are treasured by the Lord, who says, “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker” (Proverbs 14:31). • Israel’s laws—gleaning (Leviticus 19:9-10) and debt release (Deuteronomy 15:1-11)—protected the needy. • Jesus’ ministry centered on “good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18), and He identified with them personally (Matthew 25:40). • Faithful obedience means generous giving, fair wages, and advocacy that preserves the dignity of those in need. Do not plot evil in your hearts against one another “And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.” • God confronts not merely actions but the heart’s intentions (1 Samuel 16:7; Proverbs 4:23). • Harboring resentment or scheming harm contradicts the command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:9-10). • Jesus connects inner anger with murder’s gravity (Matthew 5:21-22), urging reconciliation. • Practical steps: quick forgiveness (Ephesians 4:31-32), truthful speech (Ephesians 4:25), and proactive peacemaking (Romans 12:18). summary Zechariah 7:10 calls for tangible, heart-level righteousness: protect society’s most vulnerable, treat outsiders and the needy with compassion, and guard inner motives against malice. God’s unchanging character undergirds these commands, and obedience manifests authentic, covenant-rooted faith. Verse 10. - Oppress not the widow, etc. (Exodus 22:21, 22; Deuteronomy 10:18, 19); Vulgate, nolite calumniari, where calumniari is used in the sense "to vex, torment." Imagine evil against his brother in year heart. God's Law forbids even a thought of revenge or injury against a neighbour, for this is only the first step to wrong doing (comp. Micah 2:1). Septuagint, Κακίαν ἕκαστος τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ μὴ μνησικακείτω ἐν ταῖς καρδίας ὑμῶν, "Let none of you remember in your hearts the malice of your brother."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Do notאַֽל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not oppress תַּעֲשֹׁ֑קוּ (ta·‘ă·šō·qū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 6231: To press upon, oppress, defraud, violate, overflow the widow וְאַלְמָנָ֧ה (wə·’al·mā·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 490: A widow, a desolate place or the fatherless, וְיָת֛וֹם (wə·yā·ṯō·wm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3490: A bereaved person the foreigner גֵּ֥ר (gêr) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1616: A guest, a foreigner or the poor. וְעָנִ֖י (wə·‘ā·nî) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6041: Poor, afflicted, humble And do not אַֽל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not plot תַּחְשְׁב֖וּ (taḥ·šə·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 2803: To think, account evil וְרָעַת֙ (wə·rā·‘aṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 7451: Bad, evil in your hearts בִּלְבַבְכֶֽם׃ (bil·ḇaḇ·ḵem) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart against one אִ֣ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person another.’ אָחִ֔יו (’ā·ḥîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) Links Zechariah 7:10 NIVZechariah 7:10 NLT Zechariah 7:10 ESV Zechariah 7:10 NASB Zechariah 7:10 KJV Zechariah 7:10 BibleApps.com Zechariah 7:10 Biblia Paralela Zechariah 7:10 Chinese Bible Zechariah 7:10 French Bible Zechariah 7:10 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Zechariah 7:10 Don't oppress the widow nor the fatherless (Zech. 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