Albert Barnes Commentary Exodus 23:1-3

"Thou shalt not take up a false report: put not thy hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to turn aside after a multitude to wrest [justice]: neither shalt thou favor a poor man in his cause." — Exodus 23:1-3 (ASV)

These four commands, addressed to the conscience, are illustrations of the ninth commandment, mainly in reference to the giving of evidence in legal causes (compare to 1 Kings 21:10; Acts 6:11).

Exodus 23:2: This verse might be more strictly rendered, “You shall not follow the many to evil; neither shall you bear witness in a cause so as to incline after the many to pervert justice.”

Exodus 23:3: Countenance – Rather, show partiality to a man’s cause because he is poor .