Proverbs 18:5
It is not good to respect the person of the wicked, so as to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
JPS TaNaKH 1917
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 as deep waters; a flowing brook, a fountain of wisdom.
6A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
Cross References
Exodus 23:3neither shalt thou favour a poor man in his cause.
Leviticus 19:15Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment; thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor favour the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
Deuteronomy 16:19Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons; neither shalt thou take a gift; for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
Job 13:7Will ye speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for Him?
Psalms 82:2'How long will ye judge unjustly, and respect the persons of the wicked? Selah
Proverbs 24:23These also are sayings of 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 →