כִּי אִם הֵיטֵיב תֵּיטִיבוּ אֶת דַּרְכֵיכֶם וְאֶת מַעַלְלֵיכֶם אִם עָשׂוֹ תַעֲשׂוּ מִשְׁפָּט בֵּין אִישׁ וּבֵין רֵעֵהוּ: גֵּר יָתוֹם וְאַלְמָנָה לֹא תַעֲשֹׁקוּ וְדָם נָקִי אַל תִּשְׁפְּכוּ בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה וְאַחֲרֵי אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים לֹא תֵלְכוּ לְרַע לָכֶם: וְשִׁכַּנְתִּי אֶתְכֶם בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי לַאֲבוֹתֵיכֶם לְמִן עוֹלָם וְעַד עוֹלָם:
No, if you really mend your ways and your actions; if you execute justice between two people; if you do not oppress the stranger, the orphan, and the widow; if you do not shed the blood of the innocent in this place; if you do not follow other gods, to your own hurt -- then only will I let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your ancestors for all time.
[JPS translation. Edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. How does this text define a just society? What does each requirement teach us about that society?
2. According to this text, what is the reward for creating a society of justice?
1. How does this text define a just society? What does each requirement teach us about that society?
2. According to this text, what is the reward for creating a society of justice?
Time Period: Biblical (early ancestors to 165 BCE)