Bible Strands
Proverbs 18:5
Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The text is a wisdom instruction addressed to a general listener, placed between verses describing the depth of human speech and the self-destructive nature of a fool’s words.
The words — שְׂאֵ֣ת (se.'Et) literally means "to lift up," paired with לְ/הַטּ֥וֹת (le./ha.Tot), meaning "to turn aside," which together describe the act of perverting judgment through favoritism.
The thread — This prohibition against partiality recurs in Leviticus 19:15, Deuteronomy 16:19, and Psalms 82:2, where leaders are repeatedly commanded to reject bias toward both the rich and the wicked.
Why it lands — It requires strict impartiality in legal matters, demanding that the reader protect the innocent and reject any favoritism that distorts factual judgment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Cross-references
- 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.
- Deuteronomy 16:19 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.
- Psalms 82:2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
- Proverbs 28:21 To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
- Proverbs 17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.
- Proverbs 24:23 These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.
- Deuteronomy 1:16 At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident.
- Isaiah 5:23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice.
- Matthew 22:16 They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance.
- 1 Kings 21:9 In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people.