¹⁵ Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just^(A)—
both are detestable to the Lord.

²⁶ It is certainly not good to fine an innocent person
or to beat a noble for his honesty.^[a](A)

⁵ It is not good to show partiality to the guilty^(A)
by perverting the justice due the innocent.^(B)

¹⁵ Justice executed is a joy to the righteous
but a terror to those who practice iniquity.^(A)

²³ These sayings also belong to the wise:^(A)

It is not good to show partiality in judgment.^(B)
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent”^(C)—
people will curse him,^(D) and tribes will denounce him;
²⁵ but it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
and a generous blessing will come to them.

⁵ Evil men do not understand justice,^(A)
but those who seek the Lord understand everything.^(B)

²⁶ Many seek a ruler’s favor,^(A)
but a man receives justice from the Lord.^(B)