Deuteronomy 16:19

Translations

Modern

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.

Traditional

Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

Literal

You shall not twist justice; you shall not show partiality nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.

Latin

…nec in alteram partem declinent. Non accipies personam, nec munera: quia munera excæcant oculos sapientum, et mutant verba justorum.

Original

Hebrew

English

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.

Notes

Deuteronomy 16:19

show partiality: See study note on 1:16–17.

Deuteronomy 16:18–17:13

The community of Israel, like any nation, needed different kinds of leaders. These leaders helped keep the people united and guided them in the right direction.

The Lord told Moses to set up a proper system of leadership. He also gave clear standards for choosing leaders and explained the duties of each role.

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes Bribery and Gifts God’s Justice Social Justice True Justice What Is Good

Related verses

Leviticus 19:15
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.
Exodus 23:2
You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.
Proverbs 17:23
A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.
Deuteronomy 24:17
Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security.
Habakkuk 1:4
Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.
Deuteronomy 10:17
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.
Ecclesiastes 7:7
Surely extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
Deuteronomy 27:19
‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Proverbs 24:23
These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.
Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”
Acts 16:37
But Paul said to the officers, “They beat us publicly without a trial and threw us into prison, even though we are Roman citizens. And now do they want to send us away secretly? Absolutely not! Let them come themselves and escort us out!”
Acts 10:34
Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism,

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Bribe, Bribery Covenant Deuteronomy, Book of Law of Moses Samuel (Person)

Topics

Bribery: General Scriptures Concerning Courts of Justice: Judges of not to Take Bribes Injustice: Forbidden Injustice: General Scriptures Concerning Integrity: General Scriptures Concerning Judge: Character of, and Precepts Relating To Justice: General Scriptures Concerning Magistrates: should not Take Bribes Rulers: Character and Qualifications of Rulers: Duties of

Deuteronomy 16:19

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