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15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
    both are detestable to the Lord.

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15 One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous
    are both alike an abomination to the Lord.(A)

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26 It is wrong to punish the godly for being good
    or to flog leaders for being honest.

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26 To impose a fine on the innocent is not right
    or to flog the noble for their integrity.(A)

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It is not right to acquit the guilty
    or deny justice to the innocent.

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It is not right to be partial to the guilty
    or to subvert the innocent in judgment.(A)

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15 Justice is a joy to the godly,
    but it terrifies evildoers.

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15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous
    but dismay to evildoers.

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11 Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die;
    save them as they stagger to their death.
12 Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.”
    For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.
He who guards your soul knows you knew.
    He will repay all people as their actions deserve.

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11 if you hold back from rescuing those taken away to death,
    those who go staggering to the slaughter;(A)
12 if you say, “Look, we did not know this”—
    does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it?
    And will he not repay all according to their deeds?(B)

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More Sayings of the Wise

23 Here are some further sayings of the wise:

It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.
24 A judge who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”
    will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations.
25 But it will go well for those who convict the guilty;
    rich blessings will be showered on them.

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Further Sayings of the Wise

23     These also are sayings of the wise:

Partiality in judging is not good.(A)
24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”
    will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,(B)
25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
    and a good blessing will come upon them.(C)

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Evil people don’t understand justice,
    but those who follow the Lord understand completely.

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The evil do not understand justice,
    but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.(A)

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26 Many seek the ruler’s favor,
    but justice comes from the Lord.

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26 Many seek the favor of a ruler,
    but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.(A)

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