Proverbs 31:9
New International Version
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

New Living Translation
Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.

English Standard Version
Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Berean Standard Bible
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

King James Bible
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

New King James Version
Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

New American Standard Bible
Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the poor and needy.

NASB 1995
Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

NASB 1977
Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

Legacy Standard Bible
Open your mouth, judge righteously, And render justice to the afflicted and needy.

Amplified Bible
Open your mouth, judge righteously, And administer justice for the afflicted and needy.

Christian Standard Bible
Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.

American Standard Version
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.

Contemporary English Version
Be fair and give justice to the poor and homeless.

English Revised Version
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister judgment to the poor and needy.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Speak out, judge fairly, and defend the rights of oppressed and needy people."

Good News Translation
Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy."

International Standard Version
Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.

Majority Standard Bible
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

NET Bible
Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

New Heart English Bible
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy."

Webster's Bible Translation
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

World English Bible
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Open your mouth, judge righteously, "" Both the cause of the poor and needy!”

Young's Literal Translation
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, Both the cause of the poor and needy!'

Smith's Literal Translation
Open thy mouth; judge justly, and contend for the poor and needy.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Open your mouth, declare what is just, and do justice to the indigent and the poor.

New American Bible
Open your mouth, judge justly, defend the needy and the poor!

New Revised Standard Version
Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Open your mouth in righteous judgment and judge the poor and the afflicted.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Open thy mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Words of King Lemuel
8Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

Cross References
Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

Psalm 82:3-4
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.

Jeremiah 22:3
This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.

Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Zechariah 7:9-10
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’

James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...

Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Isaiah 58:6-7
Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Amos 5:24
But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Deuteronomy 16:19-20
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. / Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live, and you may possess the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Exodus 23:6-7
You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits. / Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty.

Job 29:12-17
because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper. / The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. / I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban. ...

Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Galatians 6:2
Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 16:12
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

Proverbs 20:8
A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

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.

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Proverbs 31
1. Lemuel's lesson of chastity and temperance
6. The afflicted are to be comforted and defended
10. The praise and properties of a good wife














Speak up
The Hebrew root for "speak up" is "פָּתַח" (pathach), which means to open or to let loose. In the context of this verse, it implies a call to action, urging individuals to use their voice actively and courageously. Historically, speaking up was a significant act in ancient Israelite society, where silence could imply consent or indifference. This phrase encourages believers to break the silence and advocate for truth and justice, reflecting God's own character as a defender of the oppressed.

Judge righteously
The term "judge" comes from the Hebrew "שָׁפַט" (shaphat), meaning to govern or to render a verdict. "Righteously" is derived from "צֶדֶק" (tsedeq), which signifies justice or righteousness. Together, these words emphasize the importance of fair and impartial judgment. In the biblical context, judges were expected to reflect God's justice, ensuring that their decisions were not swayed by personal bias or external pressures. This phrase calls Christians to uphold integrity and fairness in all their dealings, mirroring the divine justice that God embodies.

Defend the cause
The Hebrew word for "defend" is "רִיב" (rib), which means to contend or plead. This phrase suggests an active engagement in advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves. In ancient times, the legal system often favored the wealthy and powerful, leaving the marginalized without a voice. This command is a reminder of the biblical mandate to protect and support the vulnerable, aligning with the broader scriptural theme of God's concern for justice and mercy.

Of the poor and needy
"Poor" is translated from "עָנִי" (ani), and "needy" from "אֶבְיוֹן" (evyon). Both terms describe individuals who are economically disadvantaged and socially marginalized. Throughout the Bible, God expresses a profound concern for the poor and needy, repeatedly instructing His people to care for them. This phrase underscores the Christian duty to prioritize the needs of the less fortunate, reflecting the heart of God who is described as a refuge for the oppressed and a provider for the destitute.

Verse 9. - Plead the cause; rather, minister judgment, or do right; act in your official capacity so that the effect shall be substantial justice (comp. Zechariah 8:16).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Open
פְּתַח־ (pə·ṯaḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

your mouth,
פִּ֥יךָ (pî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

judge
שְׁפָט־ (šə·p̄āṭ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

righteously,
צֶ֑דֶק (ṣe·ḏeq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6664: The right, equity, prosperity

and defend the cause
וְ֝דִ֗ין (wə·ḏîn)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1777: A straight course, sail direct

of the poor
עָנִ֥י (‘ā·nî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6041: Poor, afflicted, humble

and needy.
וְאֶבְיֽוֹן׃ (wə·’eḇ·yō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 34: In want, needy, poor


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 31:9 Open your mouth judge righteously and serve (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 31:8
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