Exodus 23:6

6 "Never deny justice to poor people in court.

Exodus 23:6 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 23:6

Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
] As the poor man was not to be favoured when his cause was bad through an affected pity for him as a poor man, so his judgment was not to be wrested or perverted, when his cause was good, because of his poverty; which is too often the case, through the power of rich men, and the prevalence of their gifts and bribes, and to curry favour with them: the phrase, "thy poor", is very emphatic, and intended to engage judges to regard them, as being of the same flesh and blood with them, of the same nation and religion; and who were particularly committed to their care and protection under God, who is the Judge and protector of the poor, of the widow and the fatherless.

Exodus 23:6 In-Context

4 "Whenever you come across your enemy's ox or donkey wandering loose, be sure to take it back to him.
5 Whenever you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load, don't leave it there. Be sure to help him with his animal.
6 "Never deny justice to poor people in court.
7 Avoid telling lies. Don't kill innocent or honest people, because I will never declare guilty people innocent.
8 Never take a bribe, because bribes blind those who can see and deny justice to those who are in the right.
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