Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 18:5
5It is not good to show partiality to the guilty, denying an innocent person justice.
Proverbs 18:5 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
- New International Version (NIV)It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.
- English Standard Version (ESV)It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.
- New King James Version (NKJV)It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Context of Proverbs 18:5
3When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes, and along with dishonor, derision. 4The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom. It is not good to show partiality to the guilty, denying an innocent person justice. 6A fool’s lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating. 7A fool’s mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life.
Read all of Proverbs 18Proverbs 18:5 word by word
שְׂאֵ֣ת פְּנֵי־רָשָׁ֣ע לֹא־ט֑וֹב לְהַטּ֥וֹת צַ֝דִּ֗יק בַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 18:5
- Proverbs 24:23These sayings also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.
- Proverbs 28:21It is not good to show partiality — yet even a courageous person may sin for a piece of bread.
- Leviticus 19:15“Do not act unjustly when deciding a case. Do not be partial to the poor or give preference to the rich; judge your neighbor fairly.
- Deuteronomy 1:16I commanded your judges at that time: Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge rightly between a man and his brother or his resident alien.
- Deuteronomy 16:19Do not deny justice or show partiality to anyone. Do not accept a bribe, for it blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.
- Job 13:7Would you testify unjustly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for him?
- Job 34:19God is not partial to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands.
- Matthew 22:16So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are truthful and teach truthfully the way of God. You don’t care what anyone thinks nor do you show partiality.
- 1 Kings 21:9In the letters, she wrote: Proclaim a fast and seat Naboth at the head of the people.
- Isaiah 5:23who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice.
- Isaiah 59:14Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far off. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter.
- Micah 7:3Both hands are good at accomplishing evil: the official and the judge demand a bribe; when the powerful man communicates his evil desire, they plot it together.
Commentaries on Proverbs 18:5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5To accept the person of the wicked - We must not, in judicial cases, pay any attention to a man's riches, influence, friends, offices, etc., but judge the case according to its own merits. But when the wicked rich man opposes and oppresses the poor righteous, then all those things should be utterly forgotten.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5Verse 5 The merits of a cause must be looked to, not the person.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. accept the person--(Compare Psa 82:2). "It is not good" is to be supplied before "to overthrow."Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 18:5
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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