Proverbs 18:5

5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.

Proverbs 18:5 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:5

[It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked
For a judge to have respect to a wicked man in a cause before him, and to favour him, because he is a rich man, or a relation, or he has received some kindness from him; none of these things should have any influence upon him to overthrow the righteous in judgment:
though he may be a poor man and a stranger, and to whom the judge is under no private and personal obligation; yet justice ought to be done without any respect to persons; to do otherwise is not only not good, but very bad, very sinful and criminal; it is contrary to law and justice; it is doing injury to men, and is repugnant to the will of God, and offensive to him, ( Leviticus 19:15 ) .

Proverbs 18:5 In-Context

3 The wicked man, when he is come into the depths of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.
4 Words from the mouth of a man are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.
6 The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
7 The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.
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