¹⁵ Whoever approves of wicked people
and whoever condemns righteous people
is disgusting to the Lord.

⁵ It is not good to be partial toward a wicked person,
thereby depriving an innocent person of justice.

¹⁵ When justice is done, a righteous person is delighted,
but troublemakers are terrified.

¹¹ Rescue captives condemned to death,
and spare those staggering toward their slaughter.
¹² When you say, “We didn’t know this,”
won’t the one who weighs hearts take note of it?
Won’t the one who guards your soul know it?
Won’t he pay back people for what they do?

²³ These also are the sayings of wise people:
Showing partiality as a judge is not good.
²⁴ Whoever says to a guilty person, “You are innocent,”
will be cursed by people and condemned by nations.
²⁵ But people will be pleased with those who convict a guilty person,
and a great blessing will come to them.

⁵ Evil people do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand everything.

²⁶ Many seek an audience with a ruler,
but justice for humanity comes from the Lord.