Question 112

What is required in the ninth commandment?

That I bear false witness against no man,³²⁹³²⁹    Prov. 19:5, 9; Prov. 21:28. nor falsify any man's words;³³⁰³³⁰    Ps. 15:3; Ps. 50:19, 20. that I be no backbiter, nor slanderer;³³¹³³¹    Rom. 1:29, 30. that I do not judge, nor join in condemning any man rashly, or unheard;³³²³³²    Matt. 7:1, 2; Luke 6:37. but that I avoid all sorts of lies and deceit, as the proper works of the devil,³³³³³³    John 8:44. unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God;³³⁴³³⁴    Prov. 12:22; Prov. 13:5. likewise, that in judgment and all other dealings I love the truth, speak it uprightly and confess it;³³⁵³³⁵    1 Cor. 13:6; Eph. 4:25. also that I defend and promote, as much as I am able, the horror and good character of my neighbour.³³⁶³³⁶    1 Pet. 4:8.