Add parallel Print Page Options

15 Acquitting a guilty person
and convicting an innocent person—
both of these are disgusting[a] to the Lord.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:15 Or repulsive

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent(A)
    the Lord detests them both.(B)

Read full chapter

It is not good to show favoritism to a wicked person
    in order to deprive a righteous person of justice.

Read full chapter

It is not good to be partial to the wicked(A)
    and so deprive the innocent of justice.(B)

Read full chapter

A guilty person’s way is very crooked,
but the conduct of a pure person is straight.

Read full chapter

The way of the guilty is devious,(A)
    but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

Read full chapter

More Words of the Wise

23 These sayings also are by the wise:
To show partiality when administering justice is not good.
24 If anyone says to a guilty person, “You are innocent,”
people will curse him. Nations will denounce him.
25 However, it will be pleasant for those who convict the guilty.
A wonderful blessing will come upon them.

Read full chapter

Further Sayings of the Wise

23 These also are sayings of the wise:(A)

To show partiality(B) in judging is not good:(C)
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,”(D)
    will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.
25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
    and rich blessing will come on them.

Read full chapter