A judge must be fair. He must not support a person simply because of who that person is. But some judges will change their decisions for only the smallest payment.
“You must be fair in judgment. You must not show special favor to poor people. And you must not show special favor to important people. You must be fair when you judge your neighbor.
You pray to God and call him Father. God judges each man’s work equally. So while you are visiting \{here on earth\}, you should live with fear (respect) for God.
But the wisdom that comes from God is like this: First, it is pure. It is also peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help people who have trouble and to do good things for other people. This wisdom is always fair and honest.
A wise person understands these things.\par A smart person should learn these things.\par The Lord’s ways are right.\par Good people will live by them.\par Sinners will die by them. {\cf2\super [153]} \par
Then those people will be able to understand wise sayings and stories with hidden meanings. Those people will be able to understand the things wise men say.
Now each one of you must fear the Lord. Be careful in what you do because the Lord our God is fair. The Lord doesn’t treat some people more important than others. And he doesn’t accept money to change his judgments.”
You must always be fair. You must not favor some people over other people. You must not take money to change your mind in judgment. Money blinds the eyes of wise people and changes what a good person will say.
When you judge, you must not think that one person is more important than another person. You must judge every person the same. Don’t be afraid of anyone, because your decision is from God. But if there is a case too hard for you to judge, then bring it to me and I will judge it.’
