New Living Translation
Leviticus 19:15
15“Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.
Leviticus 19:15 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
- New International Version (NIV)“ ‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.
- English Standard Version (ESV)"You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.
- New King James Version (NKJV)‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.
Context of Leviticus 19:15
13“Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. “Do not make your hired workers wait until the next day to receive their pay. 14“Do not insult the deaf or cause the blind to stumble. You must fear your God; I am the Lord. “Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly. 16“Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. “Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord. 17“Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin.
Read all of Leviticus 19Leviticus 19:15 word by word
לֹא־תַעֲשׂ֥וּ עָ֙וֶל֙ בַּמִּשְׁפָּ֔ט לֹא־תִשָּׂ֣א פְנֵי־דָ֔ל וְלֹ֥א תֶהְדַּ֖ר פְּנֵ֣י גָד֑וֹל בְּצֶ֖דֶק תִּשְׁפֹּ֥ט עֲמִיתֶֽךָ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Ye shall doעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
- no unrighteousnessעָ֫וֶל‛evel ‛âvel ‛avlâh ‛ôlâh ‛ôlâh · injusticeH5766
- in judgmentמִשְׁפָּטmishpâţ · justice: judgementH4941
- thou shalt not respectנָשָׂאnâώâ' nâsâh · to lift: kindnessH5375
- the personפָּנֶהpânîym · face: kindnessH6440
- of the poorדַּלdal · poorH1800
- nor honourהָדַרhâdar · to honorH1921
- the personפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
- of the mightyגָּדוֹלgâdôl gâdôl · great: largeH1419
- in righteousnessצֶ֫דֶקtsedeq · righteousnessH6664
- shalt thou judgeשָׁפַטshâphaţ · to judgeH8199
- thy neighbourעָמִית‛âmîyth · neighborH5997
Cross-references for Leviticus 19:15
- Leviticus 19:35“Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight, or volume.
- Exodus 18:21But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.
- Exodus 23:2“You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you are called to testify in a dispute, do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice.
- Deuteronomy 1:17and impartial in your judgments. Hear the cases of those who are poor as well as those who are rich. Don’t be afraid of anyone’s anger, for the decision you make is God’s decision. Bring me any cases that are too difficult for you, and I will handle them.’
- Deuteronomy 16:19You must never twist justice or show partiality. Never accept a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of the godly.
- Deuteronomy 25:13“You must use accurate scales when you weigh out merchandise,
- Deuteronomy 27:19‘Cursed is anyone who denies justice to foreigners, orphans, or widows.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’
- 2 Chronicles 19:6and he said to them, “Always think carefully before pronouncing judgment. Remember that you do not judge to please people but to please the Lord. He will be with you when you render the verdict in each case.
- Psalms 82:2“How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked? Interlude
- Proverbs 18:5It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.
- Proverbs 24:23Here are some further sayings of the wise: It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.
- James 2:6But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?
Commentaries on Leviticus 19:15
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15In a legal case, judges were not to favor either the poor or the rich. Justice had to come first at all times (see Exodus 23:3, 6).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 11-1611-16. Ye shall not steal--A variety of social duties are inculcated in this passage, chiefly in reference to common and little-thought-of vices to which mankind are exceedingly prone; such as committing petty frauds, or not scrupling to violate truth in transactions of business, ridiculing bodily infirmities, or circulating stories to the prejudice of others. In opposition to these bad habits, a spirit of humanity and brotherly kindness is strongly…Read the comment
Topics related to Leviticus 19:15
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Leviticus 19
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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