Proverbs 18:5

5 It isn't good to favor those who do wrong. And it isn't good to hold back what is fair from those who aren't guilty.

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 People hate it when evil comes. And they refuse to honor those who bring shame.

4 The words of a person's mouth are like deep water. But the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.

5 It isn't good to favor those who do wrong. And it isn't good to hold back what is fair from those who aren't guilty.

6 What a foolish person says leads to arguing. He is just asking for a beating.

7 The words of a foolish person drag him down. He is trapped by what he says.