Proverbs 18:5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.

◄ Proverbs 18:5 ►

New International Version
It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.

New Living Translation
It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.

English Standard Version
It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.

Berean Standard Bible
Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.

King James Bible
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

New King James Version
It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

New American Standard Bible
To show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to suppress the righteous in judgment.

NASB 1995
To show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.

NASB 1977
To show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.

Legacy Standard Bible
To show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.

Amplified Bible
To show respect to the wicked person is not good, Nor to push aside and deprive the righteous of justice.

Christian Standard Bible
It is not good to show partiality to the guilty, denying an innocent person justice.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
It is not good to show partiality to the guilty by perverting the justice due the innocent.

American Standard Version
To respect the person of the wicked is not good, Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

Contemporary English Version
It's wrong to favor the guilty and keep the innocent from getting justice.

English Revised Version
To accept the person of the wicked is not good, nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It is not good to be partial toward a wicked person, thereby depriving an innocent person of justice.

Good News Translation
It is not right to favor the guilty and keep the innocent from receiving justice.

International Standard Version
It's not good to be partial towards an evil person, thereby depriving the righteous of justice.

Majority Standard Bible
Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.

NET Bible
It is terrible to show partiality to the wicked, by depriving a righteous man of justice.

New Heart English Bible
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.

Webster's Bible Translation
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

World English Bible
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Favoring of the face of the wicked [is] not good, "" To turn aside the righteous in judgment.

Young's Literal Translation
Acceptance of the face of the wicked is not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.

Smith's Literal Translation
To lift up the face of the unjust one is not good; to turn aside the just one in judgment.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.

Catholic Public Domain Version
It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.

New American Bible
It is not good to favor the guilty, nor to reject the claim of the just.

New Revised Standard Version
It is not right to be partial to the guilty, or to subvert the innocent in judgment.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
It is not good to respect the person of the wicked, nor to pervert justice against the righteous.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
To accept the persons of the evil is not good, neither to pray for judgment upon a righteous one.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
It is not good to respect the person of the wicked, So as to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
It is not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor is it holy to pervert justice in judgment.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
…4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. 5Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. 6A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 16:19
Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.

Isaiah 5:23
who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice.

Exodus 23:2-3
You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd. / And do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.

Leviticus 19:15
You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.

James 2:9
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Psalm 82:2
“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

Isaiah 10:1-2
Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder.

Micah 3:9
Now hear this, O leaders of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and pervert all that is right,

Proverbs 24:23
These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.

Proverbs 28:21
To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

Malachi 2:9
“So I in turn have made you despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not kept My ways, but have shown partiality in matters of the law.”

Romans 2:11
For God does not show favoritism.

Acts 10:34
Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism,

Colossians 3:25
Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

1 Timothy 5:21
I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.

Treasury of Scripture

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

not

Proverbs 24:23
These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

Proverbs 28:21
To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

Leviticus 19:15
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.

to overthrow

1 Kings 21:9-14
And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: …

Isaiah 5:23
Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

Isaiah 59:14
And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

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Proverbs 18

1. A fool delights not in understanding

Berean Study Bible

Showing partiality
The Hebrew root for "showing partiality" is "נָשָׂא פָּנִים" (nasa panim), which literally means "lifting up the face." This phrase conveys the idea of giving undue favor or preference to someone based on their status or relationship rather than on merit or justice. In ancient Israel, judges and leaders were expected to be impartial, reflecting God's own nature as a just and fair judge. The concept of impartiality is deeply rooted in the Mosaic Law, where God commands His people to judge fairly and without bias (Leviticus 19:15). This principle is timeless, reminding believers that true justice requires an unbiased heart, reflecting God's righteousness.

to the wicked
The term "wicked" in Hebrew is "רָשָׁע" (rasha), referring to those who are morally wrong, guilty, or hostile to God. In the biblical context, the wicked are often those who oppose God's laws and oppress others. The Bible consistently warns against aligning with or favoring the wicked, as it leads to corruption and injustice. Proverbs, as a book of wisdom, frequently contrasts the way of the wicked with the way of the righteous, urging believers to pursue righteousness and shun evil. This phrase serves as a caution against compromising one's integrity by supporting those who act against God's will.

is not good
The phrase "is not good" underscores the moral and ethical standard expected of God's people. In Hebrew, "טוֹב" (tov) means good, beneficial, or right. The negation here emphasizes that showing partiality to the wicked is contrary to God's nature and His expectations for justice. Throughout Scripture, what is "good" is often aligned with God's character and His commandments. This phrase serves as a reminder that actions contrary to God's standards are inherently flawed and lead to negative consequences.

nor is depriving
The Hebrew word for "depriving" is "הַטּוֹת" (hatot), which means to turn aside, pervert, or withhold. This term is often used in legal contexts to describe the act of twisting or distorting justice. In ancient Israel, justice was a foundational principle, and any act of depriving someone of their rightful due was seen as a grave offense. This phrase highlights the active wrongdoing involved in denying justice, emphasizing the responsibility of those in authority to uphold fairness and righteousness.

the innocent
The word "innocent" in Hebrew is "צַדִּיק" (tzaddik), which means just, righteous, or blameless. In the biblical context, the innocent are those who live according to God's laws and are undeserving of punishment or harm. Protecting the innocent is a recurring theme in Scripture, reflecting God's heart for justice and His desire to defend the vulnerable. This phrase calls believers to advocate for those who are wronged and to ensure that justice is served for the righteous.

of justice
The Hebrew term for "justice" is "מִשְׁפָּט" (mishpat), which encompasses judgment, rights, and legal decisions. Justice is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting God's character as a just and righteous judge. In ancient Israel, justice was not merely a legal concept but a divine mandate, integral to maintaining social order and reflecting God's kingdom on earth. This phrase serves as a call to action for believers to uphold justice in all areas of life, ensuring that God's standards are met and His righteousness is displayed.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 5. - It is not good to accept the person of the wicked. To "accept the person" is to show partiality, to be guided in judgment, not by the facts of a case, or the abstract principles of right or wrong, but by extraneous considerations, as a man's appearance, manners, fortune, family. (For the expression, comp. Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; and in our book, Proverbs 24:23; Proverbs 28:21.) The Septuagint phrase is θαυμάσαι πρόσωπον, which St. Jude adopts (ver. 16). Other writers in the New Testament use λαμβάνειν πρόσωτον in the same sense; e.g. Luke 20:21; Galatians 2:6). To overthrow (turn aside) the righteous in judgment is not good (comp. Isaiah 10:2). The construction is the same as in Proverbs 17:26. The LXX. adds in the second clause, οὐδὲ ὄσιον, which makes the sentence clear; not seeing this, the Vulgate renders, ut declines a veritate judicii. The offence censured is the perversion of justice in giving sentence against a righteous man whose cause the judge has reason to know is just.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Showing partiality
שְׂאֵ֣ת (śə·’êṯ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

to the wicked
רָשָׁ֣ע (rā·šā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

is not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

good,
ט֑וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

nor is depriving
לְהַטּ֥וֹת (lə·haṭ·ṭō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

the innocent
צַ֝דִּ֗יק (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

of justice.
בַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃ (bam·miš·pāṭ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

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OT Poetry: Proverbs 18:5 To be partial to the faces (Prov. Pro Pr)