An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked {k} devoureth iniquity.

(k) Takes a pleasure and delight in it, as gluttons and drunkards in delicate meats and drinks.

Wesley's Notes

19:28 Scorneth - Hath no reverence to the place of justice, nor to the presence of God there. Devoureth - Utters it with greediness and delight.

King James Translators' Notes

An...: Heb. A witness of Belial

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

28. ungodly witness-(Compare Margin), one false by bad principles (compare Pr 6:12).

scorneth judgment-sets at naught the dictates of justice.

devoureth-literally, "swalloweth," as something delightful.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

19:27. It is the wisdom of young men to dread hearing such talk as puts loose and evil principles into the mind. 28. Those are the worst of sinners, who are glad of an opportunity to sin.

Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

Verse 28

Here is a description of the worst of sinners, whose hearts are fully set in them to do evil. 1. They set that at defiance which would deter and detain them from sin: An ungodly witness is one that bears false witness against his neighbour, and will forswear himself to do another a mischief, in which there is not only great injustice, but great impiety; this is one of the worst of men. Or an ungodly witness is one that profanely and atheistically witnesses against religion and godliness, whose instructions seduce from the words of knowledge (v. 27); such a one scorns judgment, laughs at the terrors of the Lord, mocks at that fear, Job 15:26. Tell him of law and equity, that the scriptures and an oath are sacred things, and not to be jested with, that there will come a reckoning day; he laughs at it all, and scorns to heed it. 2. They are greedy, and glad of that which gives them an opportunity to sin: The mouth of the wicked eagerly devours iniquity, drinks it in like water, Job 15:16.