¹⁵ Judging the righteous wicked and the wicked righteous—
    the Lord detests both of these.

²⁶ It isn’t good to punish the righteous,
    to strike the honorable for their integrity.

⁵ Favoring the wicked isn’t good;
    it denies justice to the righteous.

¹⁵ Acting justly is a joy to the righteous,
    but dreaded by those who do evil.

¹¹ Rescue those being taken off to death;
    and from those staggering to the slaughter, don’t hold back.
¹² If you say, “Look, we didn’t know about it,”
    the one who weighs hearts—doesn’t he understand?
    The one who protects your life—he knows.
    He makes people pay for their actions.

Partiality in judgment isn’t good.

²⁴ Those who say to the guilty, “You are innocent”—
    the people will curse them.
    Nations will condemn them.
²⁵ But it will go well for those who rebuke them.
    A rich blessing will come to them.

⁵ Evil people don’t understand justice,
    but those who seek the Lord understand everything.

²⁶ Many seek access to the ruler,
    but justice comes from the Lord.