Proverbs 18:5
To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, [nor] to turn aside a righteous man in judgment.
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
In Context
4The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
6A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for stripes.
Cross References
Exodus 23:3neither shall thou favor a poor man in his case.
Leviticus 19:15Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment. Thou shall not respect the person of the poor man, nor honor the person of the mighty man, but thou shall judge thy neighbor in righteousness.
Deuteronomy 16:19Thou shall not distort justice. Thou shall not respect persons, neither shall thou take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.
Job 13:7Will ye speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him?
Psalms 82:2How long will ye judge unjustly, and respect the persons of the wicked? Selah.
Proverbs 24:23These also are from the wise: To have respect of persons in judgment is not good.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 18:5
The Language of Folly. 4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. The similitudes here seem to be elegantly transposed. 1. The well-spring of wisdom is as deep waters. An intelligent knowing man has in him a good treasure of useful things, which furnishes him with something to say upon all occasions that is pertinent and profitable. This is as deep waters, which make no noise, but never run dry. 2. The words of such a man's mouth are as a flowing brook. What… Read the whole commentary →