Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do [it]: for [there is] no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
Ver. 7. Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you.] Fear to offend so great a majesty. Cave, spectat Cato, was a watchword among the Romans. The Turkish senate is very careful what they say or do, when they know that the grand signior is at the dangerous door, and hears all.
Take heed and do it.] Abundans cautela hic non nocet.
For there is no iniquity with the Lord our God.] As neither must there be with you, whom he hath intrusted with the administration of his earthly kingdom. The Athenian judges, before they ascended the tribunal, swore that they would without writhing or warping, give sentence according to the laws; and in those things concerning which there were no laws, according to conscience and equity, which the Greeks call γνωμην δικαιοτατην, - the most righteous sentence. a
Nor respect of persons.] He heareth causes speak, and not persons; so should ye. The ancients, for this, pictured justice blind. The Areopagites heard causes in the dark; but so did not those other Athenian judges, who, having the fair harlot Phryne before them, convicted of some great crime, and being about to condemn her, absolverunt tamen postquam conspexerunt speciosissimum eius pectus, &c., acquitted her nevertheless, when they had beheld her beautiful bosom, which Hyperides her lawyer showed them, to move them to pity her. Was this agreeable to their oath mentioned in the former note? It is reported of Trajan the emperor, that he neither feared nor hated any man living. b
Nor taking of gifts.] God is not δωροφαγος : he rejecteth the sacrifices of the wicked, and will not be bribed. Demosthenes was by Harpalus, to the hazard of his country; but Phocion would not, for when Alexander the Great sent him great gifts to win him over thereby to his side, he asked the messengers why their master sent gifts to him rather than to any other of the Athenians. They answered, Because he holdeth you to be honest, and therefore best deserving. He replied, Carry back his gifts therefore; Et me talem esse porro sinat, and let him suffer me still to continue in mine honesty.
a Archaeol. Attic., 113.
b Plutarch., Vit. x., Rhet. in Hyperide.