Exodus 18:21
New Living Translation
21 But 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.
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Acts 6:3
New Living Translation
3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.
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2 Chronicles 19:5-10
New Living Translation
5 He appointed judges throughout the nation in all the fortified towns, 6 and 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. 7 Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.”
8 In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests and clan leaders in Israel to serve as judges[a] for cases involving the Lord’s regulations and for civil disputes. 9 These were his instructions to them: “You must always act in the fear of the Lord, with faithfulness and an undivided heart. 10 Whenever a case comes to you from fellow citizens in an outlying town, whether a murder case or some other violation of God’s laws, commands, decrees, or regulations, you must warn them not to sin against the Lord, so that he will not be angry with you and them. Do this and you will not be guilty.
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- 19:8 As in Greek version; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
Deuteronomy 1:13-17
New Living Translation
13 Choose some well-respected men from each tribe who are known for their wisdom and understanding, and I will appoint them as your leaders.’
14 “Then you responded, ‘Your plan is a good one.’ 15 So I took the wise and respected men you had selected from your tribes and appointed them to serve as judges and officials over you. Some were responsible for a thousand people, some for a hundred, some for fifty, and some for ten.
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 17 and 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.’
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Deuteronomy 16:18-19
New Living Translation
Justice for the People
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. 19 You 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.
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Exodus 18:25
New Living Translation
25 He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.
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Ezekiel 18:8
New Living Translation
8 He grants loans without interest, stays away from injustice, is honest and fair when judging others,
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2 Samuel 23:3
New Living Translation
3 The God of Israel spoke.
The Rock of Israel said to me:
‘The one who rules righteously,
who rules in the fear of God,
Genesis 42:18
New Living Translation
18 On the third day Joseph said to them, “I am a God-fearing man. If you do as I say, you will live.
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2 Peter 2:14-15
New Living Translation
14 They commit adultery with their eyes, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure unstable people into sin, and they are well trained in greed. They live under God’s curse. 15 They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor,[a] who loved to earn money by doing wrong.
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- 2:15 Some manuscripts read Bosor.
1 Timothy 6:9-11
New Living Translation
9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Paul’s Final Instructions
11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
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1 Timothy 3:3
New Living Translation
3 He must not be a heavy drinker[a] or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.
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Acts 20:33
New Living Translation
33 “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes.
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Luke 18:4
New Living Translation
4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people,
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Luke 18:2
New Living Translation
2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people.
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Zechariah 8:16
New Living Translation
16 But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace.
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Zechariah 7:9
New Living Translation
9 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.
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Ezekiel 22:12
New Living Translation
12 There are hired murderers, loan racketeers, and extortioners everywhere. They never even think of me and my commands, says the Sovereign Lord.
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Jeremiah 5:1
New Living Translation
The Sins of Judah
5 “Run up and down every street in Jerusalem,” says the Lord.
“Look high and low; search throughout the city!
If you can find even one just and honest person,
I will not destroy the city.
Isaiah 59:14-15
New Living Translation
14 Our courts oppose the righteous,
and justice is nowhere to be found.
Truth stumbles in the streets,
and honesty has been outlawed.
15 Yes, truth is gone,
and anyone who renounces evil is attacked.
The Lord looked and was displeased
to find there was no justice.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
New Living Translation
13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.
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Proverbs 28:2
New Living Translation
2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.
Psalm 26:9-10
New Living Translation
9 Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners.
Don’t condemn me along with murderers.
10 Their hands are dirty with evil schemes,
and they constantly take bribes.
Psalm 15:5
New Living Translation
5 Those who lend money without charging interest,
and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever.
Job 31:13
New Living Translation
13 “If I have been unfair to my male or female servants
when they brought their complaints to me,
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.