New Living Translation
Proverbs 31:9
9Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
Proverbs 31:9 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
- New International Version (NIV)Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Context of Proverbs 31:9
7Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more. 8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. 10Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. 11Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
Read all of Proverbs 31Proverbs 31:9 word by word
פְּתַח־פִּ֥יךָ שְׁפָט־צֶ֑דֶק וְ֝דִ֗ין עָנִ֥י וְאֶבְיֽוֹן׃ פRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 31:9
- Proverbs 16:12A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice.
- Proverbs 20:8When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good.
- Leviticus 19:15“Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.
- Deuteronomy 1:16“At that time I instructed the judges, ‘You must hear the cases of your fellow Israelites and the foreigners living among you. Be perfectly fair in your decisions
- Deuteronomy 16:18“Appoint judges and officials for yourselves from each of your tribes in all the towns the Lord your God is giving you. They must judge the people fairly.
- 2 Samuel 8:15So David reigned over all Israel and did what was just and right for all his people.
- Psalms 58:1Justice—do you rulers know the meaning of the word? Do you judge the people fairly?
- Psalms 72:1Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son.
- Job 29:12For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help.
- Isaiah 1:17Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
- Isaiah 11:4He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.
- Isaiah 32:1Look, a righteous king is coming! And honest princes will rule under him.
- Jeremiah 5:28They are fat and sleek, and there is no limit to their wicked deeds. They refuse to provide justice to orphans and deny the rights of the poor.
- Jeremiah 22:3This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent!
- Jeremiah 23:5“For the time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land.
- Daniel 4:27“‘King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.’
Commentaries on Proverbs 31:9
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-9Instead of drinking wine (Proverbs 31:4–7), the king should defend those who cannot protect themselves.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3-93-9. Succinct but solemn warnings against vices to which kings are peculiarly tempted, as carnal pleasures and oppressive and unrighteous government are used to sustain sensual indulgence. strength--mental and bodily resources for health and comfort. thy ways--or course of life. to that ... kings--literally, "to the destroying of kings," avoid destructive pleasures (compare Pr 5:9; 7:22, 27; Ho 4:11).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 31:9
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 31
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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