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.”

You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude 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 alien by giving him food and clothing.

You shall not distort justice; you shall not be partial, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.

Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, 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 an alien or an orphan, nor take a widow’s garment in pledge.

‘Cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

If I sharpen My flashing sword, And My hand takes hold on justice, I will render vengeance on My adversaries, And I will repay those who hate Me.

“Then he provided the first 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 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 one would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has any suit or cause could come to me and I would give him justice.”

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

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

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

Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times—for it was the custom of the king so to speak before all who knew 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 turban.

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

Elihu Vindicates God’s Justice

Then Elihu continued and said,

“Surely, God 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 according to 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 do violence to justice and abundant righteousness.

A Psalm of Thanksgiving for God’s Justice.

For the choir 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 lovingkindness of the Lord.

For the Lord loves justice And does not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, And his tongue speaks 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; Lovingkindness 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 equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

The Psalmist’s Profession of Uprightness.

A Psalm of David.

I will sing of lovingkindness and justice, To You, O Lord, I will sing praises.

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

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

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 sets the prisoners free.

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

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

Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course.

“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 man receives a bribe from the bosom To pervert the ways of justice.

A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice, And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.

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

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

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

The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.

Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand all things.

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

Many seek the ruler’s favor, But justice for man 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, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.

Zion Corrupted, to Be Redeemed

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

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

For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel And the men of Judah His delightful plant. Thus He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; For righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress.

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 hosts will accomplish this.

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

A throne will even be established in lovingkindness, And a judge will sit on it in faithfulness 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 abide 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, O Jacob, and assert, O 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 bruised reed He will not break 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 in the earth; And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.”

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

“Pay attention to Me, O My people, And give ear to Me, O My nation; For a law will go forth from Me, And I will set My justice for a light of the peoples.

Rewards for Obedience to God

Thus says the Lord, “Preserve 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 treads on them does not know peace.

A Confession of Wickedness

Therefore justice is far from us, And righteousness does not overtake us; We hope for light, but behold, 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.

Yes, truth is lacking; And he 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 recompense And make an everlasting covenant with them.

And 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 glory.”

Jerusalem’s Godlessness

“Roam to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, And look now and take note. And seek in her open squares, If you can find a man, If there is one who does justice, who seeks truth, Then I will pardon her.

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

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

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

Jeremiah’s Prayer

Righteous are You, O Lord, that I would plead my case with You; Indeed 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?

O house of David, thus says the Lord: “Administer justice every morning; And deliver the person who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor, That My wrath may not go forth like fire And burn with none to extinguish it, Because of the evil of their deeds.

Thus says the Lord, “Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also 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 upper 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 not your father eat and drink And do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with 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 cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; 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,

if he does not lend money on interest or take increase, if he keeps his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between man and man,

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

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

Again, when a wicked man 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 oppression and committed robbery, and they have wronged the poor and needy and have oppressed the sojourner without justice.

But when I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely 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 surely live.

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

‘Thus says the Lord God, “Enough, you princes of Israel; put away violence and destruction, and practice justice and righteousness. Stop your expropriations from 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 lovingkindness and in compassion,

Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.

For those who turn justice into wormwood And cast righteousness down to the earth.”

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

“But let justice roll down 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, heads 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, Even to Israel his sin.

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

He has told you, O man, 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 bear the indignation 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 see His righteousness.

Therefore the law is ignored And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted.

“They are dreaded 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 unjust knows no shame.

“Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother;

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?”

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

“A battered reed He will not break off, And a smoldering wick He will not put out, Until He leads justice to victory.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, 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 tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

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

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.”

Fellow Workers

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