Zechariah 7:9

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:

Ver. 9. Execute true judgment] According to Deuteronomy 1:17. See the note there. The prophet having here to do with hypocrites, who boast much of their piety with neglect of charity, and seem to be strict in the service of God, but make overly bold with men, presseth them to duties of the second table, which yet he would have exercised in the first table; for not only the second is included in the first, but in the very first commandment of the law the observation of the rest is commanded, as Luther well observeth.

And show mercy] Or bountifulness, kindness, favourable dealing.

And compassions] Heb. bowels, q.d. Do it out of deep pity from the heart root. Draw out, not your sheaf only, but your soul to the hungry, Isaiah 58:10, this way the poorest may exercise his charity; though he cannot show mercy, yet he may love it, Micah 6:8, he may wish well to it, as these poor wretches, that were willing indeed, but never, alas, able to relieve the necessitous, Matthew 25:35 : we usually call such poor men, poor souls; but in the bowels of compassion a poor soul may be a rich Christian; and a rich man may have a poor soul.