Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”
Exodus 20:16
God gave Israel a way to make people afraid to lie in court. He told Israel, “If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong, then both the men between whom the controversy is shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, who shall be in those days. And the judges shall make diligent inquisition and behold, if the witness be a false witness and has testified falsely against his brother, then shall you do unto him as he had thought to have done unto his brother. So shall you put the evil away from among you. And those who remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you. And thine eye shall not pity, but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
Any government on earth that would impartially and swiftly enforce that standard would reap great benefit from it. If liars knew without any doubt that they would suffer if they were caught, and suffer quickly, they would be much less likely to take the risk of lying under oath.