For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.”

Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now justice for his blood is required.”

You shall not follow the crowd in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to join together with a crowd in order to pervert justice;

“You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute.

He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the stranger by giving him food and clothing.

You shall not distort justice, you shall not show partiality; and you shall not accept a bribe, because a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and distorts the words of the righteous.

Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, so that you may live and possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

Administration of Justice

“You shall not sacrifice to the Lord your God an ox or a sheep which has a blemish or any defect, for that is a detestable thing to the Lord your God.

“You shall not pervert the justice due a stranger or an orphan, nor seize a widow’s garment as a pledge.

‘Cursed is one who distorts the justice due a stranger, an orphan, or a widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

If I have sharpened My flashing sword, And My hand has taken hold of justice, I will return vengeance on My adversaries, And I will repay those who hate Me.

Then he selected the choicest part for himself, For there the ruler’s portion was reserved; And he came with the leaders of the people; He executed the justice of the Lord, And His ordinances with Israel.”

His sons, however, did not walk in his ways but turned aside after dishonest gain, and they took bribes and perverted justice.

So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered justice and righteousness for all his people.

Moreover, Absalom would say, “Oh that someone would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has a lawsuit or claim could come to me, and I would give him justice!”

And God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself a long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the lives of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice,

When all Israel heard about the judgment which the king had handed down, they feared the king, because they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.

Blessed be the Lord your God who delighted in you to put you on the throne of Israel; because the Lord loves Israel forever, He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.”

So David reigned over all Israel; and he administered justice and righteousness for all his people.

Blessed be the Lord your God who delighted in you, setting you on His throne as king for the Lord your God; because your God loved Israel, establishing them forever, He made you king over them, to carry out justice and righteousness.”

Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times—for it was the custom of the king to speak this way before all who knew Persian law and justice

Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert what is right?

If it is a matter of power, behold, He is the strong one! And if it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?

Everything Is Against Him

“Behold, I cry, ‘Violence!’ but I get no answer; I shout for help, but there is no justice.

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a headband.

The abundant in years may not be wise, Nor may elders understand justice.

Elihu Vindicates God’s Justice

Then Elihu continued and said,

God certainly will not act wickedly, And the Almighty will not pervert justice.

Shall one who hates justice rule? And will you condemn the righteous mighty One,

“Do you think this is in accordance with justice? Do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s’?

He does not keep the wicked alive, But gives justice to the afflicted.

“But you were full of judgment on the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you.

The Almighty—we cannot find Him; He is exalted in power And He will not violate justice and abundant righteousness.

Thanksgiving for God’s Justice.

For the music director; on Muth-labben. A Psalm of David.

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders.

He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way.

He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

For the Lord loves justice And does not abandon His godly ones; They are protected forever, But the descendants of the wicked will be eliminated.

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, And his tongue speaks justice.

Your throne, God, is forever and ever; The scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of justice.

May he judge Your people with righteousness And Your afflicted with justice.

Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before You.

Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.

The strength of the King loves justice; You have established order; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

The Psalmist’s Profession of Uprightness.

A Psalm of David.

I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, Lord, I will sing praises.

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting for those who fear Him, And His justice to the children’s children,

How blessed are those who maintain justice, Who practice righteousness at all times!

The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are trustworthy.

Ayin

I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors.

I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, And justice for the poor.

Who executes justice for the oppressed; Who gives food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners.

To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice, and integrity;

Guarding the paths of justice, And He watches over the way of His godly ones.

Then you will discern righteousness, justice, And integrity, and every good path.

By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.

I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,

A wicked person accepts a bribe from an inside pocket To pervert the ways of justice.

A worthless witness makes a mockery of justice, And the mouth of the wicked swallows wrongdoing.

A king who sits on the throne of justice Disperses all evil with his eyes.

To do righteousness and justice Is preferred by the Lord more than sacrifice.

The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, Because they refuse to act with justice.

The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But terror to those who practice injustice.

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

The king gives stability to the land by justice, But a person who takes bribes ruins it.

Many seek the ruler’s favor, But justice for mankind comes from the Lord.

Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.

If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight; for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over them.

Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor, Obtain justice for the orphan, Plead for the widow’s case.

Zion Corrupted; Will Be Redeemed

How the faithful city has become a prostitute, She who was full of justice! Righteousness once dwelt in her, But now murderers.

Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe And chases after gifts. They do not obtain justice for the orphan, Nor does the widow’s case come before them.

Zion will be redeemed with justice And her repentant ones with righteousness.

For the vineyard of the Lord of armies is the house of Israel, And the people of Judah are His delightful plant. So He waited for justice, but behold, there was bloodshed; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help.

There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this.

So as to deprive the needy of justice And rob the poor among My people of their rights, So that widows may be their spoil And that they may plunder the orphans.

A throne will be established in faithfulness, And a judge will sit on it in trustworthiness in the tent of David; Moreover, he will seek justice, And be prompt in righteousness.

A spirit of justice for him who sits in judgment, A strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate.

I will make justice the measuring line And righteousness the level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the secret place.

God Is Gracious and Just

Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.

Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness will remain in the fertile field.

The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.

With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge, And informed Him of the way of understanding?

Why do you say, Jacob, and you assert, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”?

God’s Promise concerning His Servant

“Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.

A bent reed He will not break off And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.

He will not be disheartened or crushed Until He has established justice on the earth; And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.”

But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength for nothing and futility; Nevertheless, the justice due to Me is with the Lord, And My reward is with My God.”

“Pay attention to Me, My people, And listen to Me, My nation; For a law will go out from Me, And I will bring My justice as a light of the peoples.

Rewards for Obedience to God

This is what the Lord says: “Guard justice and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come And My righteousness to be revealed.

They do not know the way of peace, And there is no justice in their tracks; They have made their paths crooked, Whoever walks on them does not know peace.

A Confession of Wickedness

Therefore justice is far from us, And righteousness does not reach us; We hope for light, but there is darkness, For brightness, but we walk in gloom.

All of us growl like bears, And moan sadly like doves; We hope for justice, but there is none; For salvation, but it is far from us.

Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands far away; For truth has stumbled in the street, And uprightness cannot enter.

Truth is lacking, And one who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey. Now the Lord saw, And it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice.

For I, the Lord, love justice, I hate robbery in the burnt offering; And I will faithfully give them their reward, And make an everlasting covenant with them.

And if you will swear, ‘As the Lord lives,’ In truth, in justice, and in righteousness; Then the nations will bless themselves in Him, And in Him they will boast.”

Jerusalem’s Godlessness

“Roam about through the streets of Jerusalem, And look and take notice. And seek in her public squares, If you can find a person, If there is one who does justice, who seeks honesty, Then I will forgive her.

For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly practice justice between a person and his neighbor,

but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.

Correct me, Lord, but with justice; Not with Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing.

Jeremiah’s Prayer

Righteous are You, Lord, when I plead my case with You; Nevertheless I would discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?

house of David, this is what the Lord says: “Administer justice every morning; And save the person who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor, So that My wrath will not spread like fire And burn, with no one to extinguish it, Because of the evil of their deeds.

This is what the Lord says: “Do justice and righteousness, and save one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. And do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.

Messages about the Kings

“Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness, And his upstairs rooms without justice, Who uses his neighbor’s services without pay And does not give him his wages,

Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar? Did your father not eat and drink And do justice and righteousness? Then it was well for him.

“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely And do justice and righteousness in the land.

In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch of David sprout; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.

To deprive a man of justice In the presence of the Most High,

“But if a man is righteous and practices justice and righteousness,

and if he does not lend money at interest or take interest, if he keeps his hand from injustice and executes true justice between one person and another,

“Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not suffer the punishment for the father’s guilt?’ When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has kept all My statutes and done them, he shall certainly live.

“But if the wicked person turns from all his sins which he has committed and keeps all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall certainly live; he shall not die.

But when a wicked person turns away from his wickedness which he has committed and practices justice and righteousness, he will save his life.

The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery, and they have oppressed the poor and needy, and have oppressed the stranger without justice.

But when I say to the wicked, ‘You will certainly die,’ and he turns from his sin and practices justice and righteousness,

None of his sins that he has committed will be remembered against him. He has practiced justice and righteousness; he shall certainly live.

But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and practices justice and righteousness, he will live by them.

‘This is what the Lord God says: “Enough, you princes of Israel; get rid of violence and destruction, and practice justice and righteousness. Revoke your evictions of My people,” declares the Lord God.

I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, In favor and in compassion,

So as for you, return to your God, Maintain kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.

For those who turn justice into wormwood, And throw righteousness to the earth.”

For I know your offenses are many and your sins are great, You who are hostile to the righteous and accept bribes, And turn away the poor from justice at the gate.

Hate evil, love good, And establish justice in the gate! Perhaps the Lord God of armies Will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

But let justice roll out like waters, And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Do horses run on rocks? Or does one plow them with oxen? Yet you have turned justice into poison, And the fruit of righteousness into wormwood,

Rulers Denounced

And I said, “Hear now, you leaders of Jacob And rulers of the house of Israel: Is it not for you to know justice?

On the other hand, I am filled with power— With the Spirit of the Lord— And with justice and courage To make known to Jacob his rebellious act, And to Israel his sin.

Now hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob And rulers of the house of Israel, Who despise justice And twist everything that is straight,

He has told you, mortal one, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

I will endure the rage of the Lord Because I have sinned against Him, Until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, And I will look at His righteousness.

Therefore the Law is ignored, And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out confused.

They are terrifying and feared; Their justice and authority originate with themselves.

The Lord is righteous within her; He will do no injustice. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He does not fail. But the criminal knows no shame.

“This is what the Lord of armies has said: ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother;

True instruction was in his mouth and injustice was not found on his lips; he walked with Me in peace and justice, and he turned many back from wrongdoing.

You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you say, “How have we wearied Him?” In that you say, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them,” or, “Where is the God of justice?”

“Then I will come near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, those who oppress the wage earner in his wages or the widow or the orphan, and those who turn away the stranger from justice and do not fear Me,” says the Lord of armies.

“Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen; My Beloved in whom My soul delights; I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

A bent reed He will not break off, And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish, Until He leads justice to victory.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they acknowledged God’s justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John.

“But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every kind of garden herb, and yet you ignore justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my opponent.’

yet because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’”

now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night, and will He delay long for them?

I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

In humiliation His justice was taken away; Who will describe His generation? For His life is taken away from the earth.”

When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.”

Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.