Proverbs 18:5
It is not good for a judge to decide matters in favor of those who ◄are guilty/have done wicked things► and to not do what is just for those who ◄are innocent/have not done what is wrong►.
Translation for Translators
In The King James Version
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
In Context
Cross References
Exodus 23:3When a poor person is on trial, do not testify in his favor just because he is poor and you feel sorry for him.
Leviticus 19:15‘Always [LIT] judge people fairly [DOU]. Do not do special favors for either poor people or rich people.
Deuteronomy 16:19They must not judge unjustly. They must not favor one person more than another. The judges must not accept bribes, because if a judge accepts a bribe, even if he is wise and honest, it will be very difficult for him to judge fairly [IDM]; he will do what the person who gave him the bribe wants him to do and declare that the righteous/innocent people must be punished.
Job 13:7Are you telling lies about me to prove God is just in causing me to suffer? Are you saying what is deceitful in order to benefit him?
Psalms 82:2“You must [RHQ] stop judging people unfairly; you must no longer make decisions that favor wicked people! (Think about that!)
Proverbs 24:23Here are more things that wise people have said: It is wrong for judges to decide matters unfairly [IDM].
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 →