"Ifthere is a disputebetweenmenand they goto court,and the judgesdecidetheir case, and they justifythe righteousand condemnthe wicked,
"The Godof Israelsaid,The Rockof Israelspoketo me, 'He who rulesover menrighteously,Who rulesin the fearof God,
then hearin heavenand actand judgeYour servants,condemningthe wickedby bringinghis wayon his own headand justifyingthe righteousby givinghim according to his righteousness.
"For everybreachof trust,[whether it is] for ox,for donkey,for sheep,for clothing,[or] for anylostthingabout whichone says,'Thisis it,' the caseof bothparties shall comebeforethe judges;he whomthe judgescondemnshall paydoubleto his neighbor.
He who justifiesthe wickedand he who condemnsthe righteous,Bothof them alikeare an abominationto the LORD.
Learnto dogood;Seekjustice,Reprovethe ruthless,Defendthe orphan,Pleadfor the widow.
Your rulersare rebelsAnd companionsof thieves;Everyonelovesa bribeAnd chasesafter rewards.They do not defendthe orphan,Nordoes the widow'spleacomebeforethem.
But with righteousnessHe will judgethe poor,And decidewith fairnessfor the afflictedof the earth;And He will strikethe earthwith the rodof His mouth,And with the breathof His lipsHe will slaythe wicked.
Woeto those who callevilgood,and goodevil;Who substitutedarknessfor lightand lightfor darkness;Who substitutebitterfor sweetand sweetfor bitter!
Who justifythe wickedfor a bribe,And takeawaythe rightsof the ones whoare in the right!
O houseof David,thussaysthe LORD:"Administerjusticeevery morning;And deliverthe [person] who has been robbedfrom the powerof [his] oppressor,That My wrathmay not goforthlike fireAnd burnwith noneto extinguish[it], Becauseof the evilof their deeds.
To deprivea manof justiceIn the presenceof the MostHigh,
To defrauda manin his lawsuit--Of these things the Lorddoes not approve.
"In a disputethey shall taketheir standto judge;they shall judgeit according to My ordinances.They shall also keepMy lawsand My statutesin allMy appointedfeastsand sanctifyMy sabbaths.
[Your] eyesare toopureto approveevil,And You cannot lookon wickedness[with favor]. Whydo You lookwith favor On those who dealtreacherously?Why are You silentwhen the wickedswallowup Those morerighteousthanthey?
Thereforethe lawis ignoredAnd justiceis neverupheld.For the wickedsurroundthe righteous;Thereforejusticecomesout perverted.
So you will againdistinguishbetweenthe righteousand the wicked,betweenone who servesGodand one whodoes not serveHim.
"The axeis alreadylaidat the rootof the trees;thereforeeverytreethat does not beargoodfruitis cut downand throwninto the fire.
"Accordingto the termsof the lawwhichthey teachyou, and accordingto the verdictwhichthey tellyou, you shall do;you shall not turnasidefrom the wordwhichthey declareto you, to the rightor the left.
"You shall rememberthat you were a slavein the landof Egypt;thereforeI am commandingyou to dothisthing.
