Proverbs 18:5

5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.

Proverbs 18:5 in Other Translations

5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.

5 It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.

5 It's not right to go easy on the guilty, or come down hard on the innocent.

5 To respect the person of the wicked is not good, [Nor] to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

5 It is not good to be partial toward a wicked person, thereby depriving an innocent person of justice.

5 It is not good to show partiality to the guilty by perverting the justice due the innocent.

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 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.

4 The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.

6 The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.

7 The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.

Cross References

• 1. Leviticus 19:15; Proverbs 24:23-25; Proverbs 28:21
• 2. S Psalms 82:2; S Proverbs 17:15