Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When people have a dispute, they are to take it to court and the judges will decide the case, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty. New Living Translation “Suppose two people take a dispute to court, and the judges declare that one is right and the other is wrong. English Standard Version “If there is a dispute between men and they come into court and the judges decide between them, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty, Berean Standard Bible If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned. Berean Literal Bible If there is a dispute between men, and they come to the court, they are to be judged, and the righteous shall be declared righteous, and the wicked condemned. King James Bible If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked. New King James Version “If there is a dispute between men, and they come to court, that the judges may judge them, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked, New American Standard Bible “If there is a dispute between people and they go to court, and the judges decide their case, and they declare the righteous innocent and pronounce the wicked guilty, NASB 1995 “If there is a dispute between men and they go to court, and the judges decide their case, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked, NASB 1977 “If there is a dispute between men and they go to court, and the judges decide their case, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked, Legacy Standard Bible “If there is a dispute between men and they go to court for judgment, and the judges judge their case, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked, Amplified Bible “If there is a controversy between men, and they go to court, and the judges decide [the issue] between them, and they judge in favor of the innocent and condemn the guilty, Berean Annotated Bible If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned. Christian Standard Bible “If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court, and the judges will hear their case. They will clear the innocent and condemn the guilty. Holman Christian Standard Bible If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court, and the judges will hear their case. They will clear the innocent and condemn the guilty. American Standard Version If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, and the judges judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked. English Revised Version If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, and the judges judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked; GOD'S WORD® Translation This is what you must do whenever [two] people have a disagreement that is brought into court. The judges will hear the case and decide who's right and who's wrong. Good News Translation "Suppose two Israelites go to court to settle a dispute, and one is declared innocent and the other guilty. International Standard Version "When there is a conflict between individuals, let them come to court to judge the case, decide who is innocent, and condemn the guilty person. NET Bible If controversy arises between people, they should go to court for judgment. When the judges hear the case, they shall exonerate the innocent but condemn the guilty. New Heart English Bible If there is a controversy between men, and they come to judgment, and the judges judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked; Webster's Bible Translation If there shall be a controversy between men, and they come to judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIf there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned. World English Bible If there is a controversy between men, and they come to judgment and the judges judge them, then they shall justify the righteous and condemn the wicked. Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“When there is a strife between men, and they have come near to the judgment, and they have judged, and declared righteous the righteous, and declared wrong the wrongdoer, Berean Literal Bible If there is a dispute between men, and they come to the court, they are to be judged, and the righteous shall be declared righteous, and the wicked condemned. Young's Literal Translation 'When there is a strife between men, and they have come nigh unto the judgment, and they have judged, and declared righteous the righteous, and declared wrong the wrong-doer, Smith's Literal Translation If there shall be a controversy between men and they drew near to judgment, and they judged them; and they justified the just and condemned the unjust. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf there be a controversy between men, and they call upon the judges: they shall give the prize of justice to him whom they perceive to be just: and him whom they find to be wicked, they shall condemn of wickedness. Catholic Public Domain Version “If there is a case between persons, and they apply to the judges, they shall give the palm of justice to the one whom they perceive to be just, and they shall condemn of impiety the one who is impious. New American Bible When there is a dispute and the parties draw near for judgment, and a decision is given, declaring one party in the right and the other in the wrong, New Revised Standard Version Suppose two persons have a dispute and enter into litigation, and the judges decide between them, declaring one to be in the right and the other to be in the wrong. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIF there is a lawsuit between a man and his neighbor, they shall come before the judges, and the judges shall judge them; and they shall acquit the innocent, and condemn the guilty. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated "And if there shall be a judicial case between a man and his neighbor, let them approach the Judges and they shall judge them and they shall justify the innocent and they shall condemn the guilty. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, and the judges judge them, by justifying the righteous, and condemning the wicked, Brenton Septuagint Translation And if there should be a dispute between men, and they should come forward to judgment, and the judges judge, and justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Fairness and Mercy1If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned. 2If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall have him lie down and be flogged in his presence with the number of lashes his crime warrants.… Cross References If there is a dispute between men Proverbs 18:17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. Exodus 18:16 “Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me to judge between one man and another, and I make known to them the statutes and laws of God.” Deuteronomy 1:16-17 At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. / Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.” they are to go to court Exodus 22:9 In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any lost item that someone claims, ‘This is mine,’ both parties shall bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges find guilty must pay back double to his neighbor. Deuteronomy 17:8-9 If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose. / You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case. 2 Chronicles 19:8 Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem. to be judged Deuteronomy 19:17-18 both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time. / The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, 2 Chronicles 19:6-7 Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment. / And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” John 7:51 “Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to determine what he has done?” so that the innocent may be acquitted Proverbs 18:5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. 1 Kings 8:32 then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness. Isaiah 5:23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice. and the guilty condemned Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet. Exodus 34:7 maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” Romans 13:4 For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. Exodus 23:7 Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. Treasury of Scripture If there be a controversy between men, and they come to judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked. Deuteronomy 16:18-20 Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment… Deuteronomy 17:8,9 If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; … Deuteronomy 19:17-19 Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; … Jump to Previous Acquitting Argument Case Condemn Condemning Controversy Court Decide Decision Declared Dispute Innocent Judge Judged Judges Judgment Justify Justifying Law Resort Righteous Upright Wicked Wrong Wrongdoer Wrong-DoerJump to Next Acquitting Argument Case Condemn Condemning Controversy Court Decide Decision Declared Dispute Innocent Judge Judged Judges Judgment Justify Justifying Law Resort Righteous Upright Wicked Wrong Wrongdoer Wrong-DoerDeuteronomy 25 1. Punishment must not exceed forty lashes4. The ox is not to be muzzled 5. Of raising seed unto a brother 11. Of the immodest woman 13. Of unjust weights and measures 17. The memory of Amalek is to be blotted out If there is a dispute between men This phrase addresses the reality of conflicts in human relationships, acknowledging that disputes are inevitable in a fallen world. The Mosaic Law provided a framework for resolving such conflicts, emphasizing justice and fairness. This reflects the broader biblical principle of seeking peace and reconciliation, as seen in Matthew 5:9, where peacemakers are called blessed. they are to go to court to be judged so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned Persons / Places / Events 1. Men in DisputeThe verse refers to individuals involved in a legal disagreement or conflict, highlighting the need for resolution through judicial means. 2. Court This is the setting where disputes are to be resolved. In ancient Israel, courts were often held at the city gates, where elders and judges would convene. 3. Judges These are the appointed individuals responsible for hearing cases and making judgments. They play a crucial role in maintaining justice and order according to God's laws. 4. Innocent Refers to the party in the dispute who is found not guilty of any wrongdoing after the case is heard. 5. Guilty Refers to the party in the dispute who is found to have committed a wrongdoing and is thus condemned by the judges. Teaching Points The Importance of JusticeGod values justice and fairness, and He has established systems to ensure that disputes are resolved justly. As believers, we should uphold justice in our communities and personal lives. Role of Authority Respect for authority and the judicial process is crucial. We should trust and support systems that are designed to maintain order and justice, while also advocating for their integrity. Discernment in Judgment Judges and leaders must exercise discernment and wisdom, seeking God's guidance to ensure that their decisions align with His principles of righteousness. Personal Responsibility Individuals should strive to resolve conflicts peacefully and seek reconciliation, reflecting Christ's teachings on forgiveness and peacemaking. Community Accountability The community plays a role in supporting justice by holding leaders accountable and ensuring that the innocent are protected and the guilty are corrected. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 25:1?2. How does Deuteronomy 25:1 guide us in resolving disputes justly today? 3. What does "justify the righteous and condemn the wicked" teach about God's justice? 4. How can we apply Deuteronomy 25:1 in our personal conflicts? 5. Which New Testament teachings align with Deuteronomy 25:1 on justice? 6. How does this verse reflect God's character and expectations for His people? 7. How does Deuteronomy 25:1 reflect ancient Israelite justice systems? 8. What does Deuteronomy 25:1 reveal about God's view on fairness? 9. How does Deuteronomy 25:1 align with modern legal principles? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 25? 11. Deuteronomy 25:1–3: Is there historical or archaeological evidence that flogging was actually carried out as described? 12. Deuteronomy 25:4: How do we reconcile the command not to muzzle an ox with modern agricultural practices? 13. What is the Bible's stance on torture? 14. Why did Israelites request a king? What Does Deuteronomy 25:1 Mean If there is a dispute between men“If there is a dispute between men…” (Deuteronomy 25:1a) • Scripture recognizes that conflicts are inevitable in a fallen world (James 4:1–2). • The verse addresses disputes “between men,” signaling civil or legal disagreements rather than personal squabbles alone. • God’s Law never ignores conflict; it provides orderly means to address it (Exodus 22:9; Proverbs 25:8). • By acknowledging disputes, the Lord affirms that justice is a community responsibility, not merely an individual burden (Matthew 18:15–17). they are to go to court to be judged “…they are to go to court to be judged…” (25:1b) • The community’s judges represent God’s authority on earth (Deuteronomy 16:18; 17:8–13). • Courts ensure impartial hearings, protecting both parties from mob rule or personal vengeance (2 Chronicles 19:5–7). • Legal process reflects God’s character—orderly, rational, and righteous (1 Corinthians 14:40). • Practical takeaways: – Seek objective mediation when conflict escalates. – Respect lawful authority as God’s servant for good (Romans 13:1–4). so that the innocent may be acquitted “…so that the innocent may be acquitted…” (25:1c) • God’s justice system aims first to protect the righteous (Exodus 23:7). • Acquittal is more than legal freedom; it restores reputation and standing (Proverbs 18:5, 17). • Judges must discern truth carefully, reflecting the Lord who “upholds the cause of the innocent” (Psalm 82:3). • The principle foreshadows our ultimate acquittal in Christ, who justifies all who believe (Romans 5:1). and the guilty condemned “…and the guilty condemned.” (25:1d) • Condemnation of the guilty deters future wrongdoing (Deuteronomy 19:19–20). • Equal weights: the same law that protects the innocent prosecutes the wicked (Proverbs 17:15; Isaiah 5:23). • Punishment upholds the community’s moral fabric and honors victims (Numbers 35:33–34). • This mirrors the final judgment where God will separate the unrighteous from the righteous (Matthew 25:31–46). summary Deuteronomy 25:1 paints a concise picture of godly justice: conflicts are inevitable, but they must be submitted to lawful judgment; judges act under divine authority to clear the innocent and punish the guilty. The verse upholds fairness, deters sin, and previews the perfect judgment of God—calling us to embrace integrity, respect lawful processes, and trust the Lord who judges all things righteously. XXV.Deuteronomy 25:1-3. HUMANITY IN PUNISHMENTS. (1) They shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.--"I will not justify the wicked" (Exodus 23:7). "He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord" (Proverbs 17:15). It should be noticed that justify is here used forensically, not meaning to make righteous, but to treat as righteous. Those who object to this sense in St. Paul's Epistles, will find it hard to put any other sense upon the word in the rest of Holy Scripture. (2) If the wicked man be worthy to be beaten.--Literally, a son of beating, or of Haccoth, according to the Hebrew. The treatise called Maccoth, in the Talmud, describes the infliction of the punishment in later times, when "of the Jews five times" St. Paul "received forty stripes save one." The details have been described by Canon Farrar in an appendix to his Life of St. Paul. Shall cause him to lie down.--The Talmud interprets the position as not sitting nor standing, nor exactly lying, but with the body inclined. Before his face.--This is interpreted as on the front of his body. The thirty-nine stripes were given thirteen on one shoulder, thirteen on the other, and thirteen on the breast. (3) Forty stripes.--The Talmud says that they considered first what a man could bear, and flogged him according to their estimate. In some cases, if the whole punishment could not be administered at once, it was divided. It is contemplated as possibly fatal, however. . . . Verses 1-3. - The first and second verses should be read as one sentence, of which the protasis is in ver. 1 and the apodosis in ver. 2, thus: If there be a strife between men, and they come to judgment, and they (i.e. the judges) give judgment on them, and justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked, then it shall be, if the wicked deserve to be beaten (literally, be the son of blows), that the judge, etc. It is assumed that the judges shall pronounce just judgment, and apportion to the guilty party his due punishment; and then it is prescribed how that is to be inflicted. In the presence of the judge the man was to be cast down, and the adjudged number of blows were to be given him, not, however, exceeding forty, lest the man should be rendered contemptible in the eyes of the people, as if he were a mere slave or brute. This punishment was usually inflicted with a stick (Exodus 21:10; 2 Samuel 7:14, etc.), as is still the case among the Arabs and Egyptians; sometimes also with thorns (Judges 8:7, 16); sometimes with whips and scorpions, i.e. scourges of cord or leather armed with sharp points or hard knots (1 Kings 12:11, 14). Though the culprit was laid on the ground, it does not appear that the bastinado was used among the Jews as it is now among the Arabs; the back and shoulders were the parts of the body on which the blows fell (Proverbs 10:13; Proverbs 19:29; Proverbs 26:3; Isaiah 1:6). According to his fault, by a certain number; literally, according to the requirement of his crime in number; i.e. according as his crime deserved. The number was fixed at forty, probably because of the symbolical significance of that number as a measure of completeness. The rabbins fixed the number at thirty-nine, apparently in order that the danger of exceeding the number prescribed by the Law should be diminished (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:24); but another reason is assigned by Maimonides, viz. that, as the instrument of punishment was a scourge with three tails, each stroke counted for three, and thus they could not give forty, but only thirty-nine, unless they exceeded the forty (Maimon., 'In Sanhedrin,' 17:2).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Ifכִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction there is יִהְיֶ֥ה (yih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be a dispute רִיב֙ (rîḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7379: Strife, dispute between בֵּ֣ין (bên) Preposition Strong's 996: An interval, space between men, אֲנָשִׁ֔ים (’ă·nā·šîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 582: Man, mankind they are to go וְנִגְּשׁ֥וּ (wə·nig·gə·šū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to court הַמִּשְׁפָּ֖ט (ham·miš·pāṭ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style to be judged, וּשְׁפָט֑וּם (ū·šə·p̄ā·ṭūm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine plural Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate so that the innocent הַצַּדִּ֔יק (haṣ·ṣad·dîq) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6662: Just, righteous may be acquitted וְהִצְדִּ֙יקוּ֙ (wə·hiṣ·dî·qū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 6663: To be just or righteous and the guilty הָרָשָֽׁע׃ (hā·rā·šā‘) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person condemned. וְהִרְשִׁ֖יעוּ (wə·hir·šî·‘ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 7561: To be, wrong, to disturb, violate Links Deuteronomy 25:1 NIVDeuteronomy 25:1 NLT Deuteronomy 25:1 ESV Deuteronomy 25:1 NASB Deuteronomy 25:1 KJV Deuteronomy 25:1 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 25:1 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 25:1 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 25:1 French Bible Deuteronomy 25:1 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 25:1 If there be a controversy between men (Deut. 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