Deuteronomy 16:19
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Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
In this chapter we have, I. A repetition of the laws concerning the three yearly feasts; in particular, that of the passover (Deu 16:1-8). That of pentecost (Deu 16:9-12). That of tabernacles (Deu 16:13-15). And the general law concerning the people's attendance on them (Deu 16:16, Deu 16:17). II. The institution of an inferior magistracy, and general rules of justice given to those that were called into office (Deu 16:18-20). III. A caveat against groves and images (Deu 16:21, Deu 16:22).
Open source ↗16:19 show partiality: See study note on 1:16-17.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.
A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.
You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.
For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe.
Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.
Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security.
Surely extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”
These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.
‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’