The final phrase that describes true repentance is, If you swear, As the Lord lives.
This was the usual formula for an oath in Israel, but the Ten Commandments forbade Israel to take the Lord’s name as an empty thing (Exodus 27:7; Deuteronomy 5:11). The Lord’s name could only be used in this way by those who were in a covenant relationship with him. This meant that the words could only be said in truth, in justice and in righteousness. These three words (“truth," justice
and righteousness
) describe the kind of life the Lord expected from those who would live in fellowship with him.1 It was no sign of true piety to have his name on your lips if it was mere trickery that was in one’s heart
.2
2 Si tu jures: L'Eternel est vivant! Avec vérité, avec droiture et avec justice, Alors les nations seront bénies en lui, Et se glorifieront en lui.