Proverbs by theme
Justice
Honest dealing, the courts, and the poor.
- 10:9He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
- 11:1Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
- 11:3The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.
- 11:5The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
- 11:8The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.
- 11:10When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
- 11:16A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
- 11:21Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
- 11:31If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
- 12:3A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
- 12:5The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit.
- 12:7The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.
- 12:10A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.
- 12:12The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
- 12:17He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
- 13:6Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner.
- 13:21Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.
- 13:23Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away.
- 14:5An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.
- 14:11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
- 14:19The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
- 14:21He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.
- 14:22Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness.
- 14:25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.
- 14:31Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.
- 14:34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
- 16:8Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
- 16:11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
- 17:5He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.
- 17:8A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
- 17:11An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
- 17:13If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.
- 17:15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.
- 17:23A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.
- 17:26It is surely not good to punish the innocent or to flog a noble for his honesty.
- 18:5Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
- 18:17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
- 18:18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
- 19:5A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
- 19:9A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.
- 19:28A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
- 20:10Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD.
- 20:17Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
- 20:23Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.
- 21:3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
- 21:7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.
- 21:13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
- 21:15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
- 21:21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.
- 21:28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
- 22:2The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all.
- 22:8He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
- 22:16Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.
- 22:22-23Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.
- 22:28Do not move an ancient boundary stone which your fathers have placed.
- 23:10-11Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you.
- 24:8He who plots evil will be called a schemer.
- 24:11-12Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?
- 24:15-16Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place. For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times.
- 24:23-25These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good. Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent”—peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him; but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them.
- 24:28Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.
- 25:8do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
- 25:26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
- 26:27He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
- 28:1The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
- 28:3A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.
- 28:4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.
- 28:5Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.
- 28:12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
- 28:17A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.
- 28:21To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
- 29:7The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.
- 29:10Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.
- 29:13The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
- 29:16When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
- 29:24A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath but does not testify.
- 29:27An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.
- 31:8-9Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.