Question #133
of An Orthodox Catechism
Question
What doth the ninth Commandment exact?
Answer
That I bear no1 false Witness against any Man,2 neither falsifie any Man’s words, neither backbite3 nor reproach any Man, nor4 condemn any rashly, or unheard, but avoid, and5 shun with all carefulness all kind of Lies, and Deceipts, as the proper Works of the Devil, except I mean to stir6 up against me the most grievous Wrath of God; and that in Judgments and other Affairs, I follow the Truth, and freely and constantly7 profess the matter as it indeed is, and moreover defend and increase as much as in me lieth, the good Name and Estimation of others.8