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READER 1 |
You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' |
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READER 2 |
Yes, if you swear in court |
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READER 3 |
Swear on the Bible |
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READER 4 |
Swear on a stack of Bibles |
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READER 3 |
Cross your heart and hope to die |
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READER 1 |
The Pharisees had strange rules about taking oaths. |
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READER 2 |
If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; |
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READER 3 |
But if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath. |
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READER 4 |
Sneaky |
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READER 3 |
"Blind guides!" Jesus called them. |
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READER 1 |
If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath. |
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READER 2 |
Deceptive. |
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READER 3 |
"Blind fools!" Jesus said. |
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READER 1 |
If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath. |
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READER 2 |
An elaborate cover for a lie. |
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READER 3 |
"Blind men!" Jesus called them |
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READER 4 |
But I tell you, |
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READER 3 |
Jesus told his followers, |
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READER 1 |
Do not swear at all. |
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READER 2 |
Do not swear at all. |
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READER 3 |
Not at all. |
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READER 4 |
Never. |
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READER 1 |
Either by heaven, |
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READER 2 |
For it is God's throne; |
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READER 1 |
Or by the earth, |
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READER 3 |
For it is his footstool; |
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READER 1 |
Or by Jerusalem, |
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READER 4 |
For it is the city of the Great King. |
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READER 2 |
The whole earth is the Lord's and everything in it. |
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READER 3 |
It is all God's. |
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READER 1 |
And do not swear by your head, |
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READER 2 |
For you cannot make even one hair white or black. |
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READER 3 |
Black or white. |
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READER 4 |
Or gray. |
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READER 1 |
Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' |
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READER 2 |
And your 'No,' 'No'; |
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READER 1 |
Anything beyond this comes from the evil one. |
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READER 2 |
The evil one. |
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READER 3 |
Who is a liar |
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READER 4 |
And the father of lies. |
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READER 1 |
When you say "Yes," mean "Yes." |
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READER 2 |
And when you say "No," mean "No." |
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READER 1 |
Don't fancy up your speech with awesome oaths. |
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READER 2 |
"Swear on a stack of Bibles" |
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READER 3 |
"Swear on the grave of my dead mother" |
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READER 1 |
Or stupid sayings |
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READER 4 |
"Cross my heart and hope to die." |
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READER 1 |
Say way you mean. |
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READER 2 |
Or don't say it at all. |
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READER 3 |
Let your words stand for themselves. |
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READER 4 |
Let your word be your bond. |
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READER 3 |
And truthfulness be your reputation. |
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READER 1 |
Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' |
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READER 2 |
And your 'No,' 'No'; |
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READER 3 |
Anything beyond this comes from the evil one. |