Proverbs 18:5

5 It is not good to 1be partial to[a] the wicked or to 2deprive the righteous of justice.

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 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.
6 A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Proverbs 24:23; Proverbs 28:21; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; Psalms 82:2
  • 2. See Proverbs 17:15

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Hebrew to lift the face of
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.