Exodus 23:6
New International Version
“Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.

New Living Translation
“In a lawsuit, you must not deny justice to the poor.

English Standard Version
“You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in his lawsuit.

Berean Standard Bible
You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.

King James Bible
Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.

New King James Version
“You shall not pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute.

New American Standard Bible
“You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute.

NASB 1995
“You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute.

NASB 1977
“You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute.

Legacy Standard Bible
“You shall not cause the justice due to your needy brother to be turned aside in his case.

Amplified Bible
“You shall not pervert (bend) the justice due to your poor in his dispute.

Christian Standard Bible
“You must not deny justice to a poor person among you in his lawsuit.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You must not deny justice to a poor person among you in his lawsuit.

American Standard Version
Thou shalt not wrest the justice due to thy poor in his cause.

Contemporary English Version
Make sure that the poor are given equal justice in court.

English Revised Version
Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Never deny justice to poor people in court.

Good News Translation
"Do not deny justice to a poor person when he appears in court.

International Standard Version
"You are not to pervert justice for the poor among you in their lawsuits.

Majority Standard Bible
You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.

NET Bible
"You must not turn away justice for your poor people in their lawsuits.

New Heart English Bible
"You shall not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.

World English Bible
“You shall not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You do not turn aside the judgment of your poor in his strife;

Young's Literal Translation
'Thou dost not turn aside the judgment of thy needy one in his strife;

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of thy needy in his cause.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt not go aside in the poor man's judgment.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You shall not deviate in judgment of the poor.

New American Bible
You shall not pervert justice for the needy among you in a lawsuit.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in their lawsuits.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall not pervert the justice due to a poor man in his lawsuit.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
You shall not decline the justice of the poor in his judgment.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou shalt not wrest the sentence of the poor in his judgment.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Justice and Mercy
5If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it. 6You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits. 7Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty.…

Cross References
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.

Proverbs 17:23
A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.

Isaiah 1:23
Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.

Amos 5:12
For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.

Micah 3:9
Now hear this, O leaders of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and pervert all that is right,

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 27:19
‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

Psalm 82:2-4
“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah / Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.

Isaiah 10:1-2
Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder.

Jeremiah 5:28
They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.

Ezekiel 22:29
The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice.

Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Luke 11:42
Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.

James 2:6
But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?

James 5:1-6
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...


Treasury of Scripture

You shall not wrest the judgment of your poor in his cause.

Exodus 23:2,3
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: …

Deuteronomy 16:19
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.

Deuteronomy 27:19
Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

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Cause Decisions Deny Dispute Due Judgment Justice Lawsuits Needy Pervert Poor Strife Suit Turn Wrest Wrong
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Cause Decisions Deny Dispute Due Judgment Justice Lawsuits Needy Pervert Poor Strife Suit Turn Wrest Wrong
Exodus 23
1. Of slander, false witness, and partiality
4. Of charitableness
6. Of justice in judgment
8. Of taking bribes
9. Of oppressing a stranger
10. Of the year of rest
12. Of the Sabbath
13. Of idolatry
14. Of the three feasts
18. Of the blood and the fat of the sacrifice
20. An angel is promised, with a blessing, if they obey him














You shall not deny
This phrase is a direct command, emphasizing the moral imperative and responsibility placed upon the people of Israel. The Hebrew root for "deny" is "natah," which can also mean to stretch out or pervert. This highlights the active nature of justice, suggesting that justice is not merely a passive state but requires active maintenance and protection. In a conservative Christian perspective, this command reflects God's immutable nature as just and righteous, calling His people to mirror His character in their dealings with others.

justice
The Hebrew word for "justice" here is "mishpat," which encompasses a broad range of meanings including judgment, rights, and rectitude. It is a foundational concept in the Old Testament, reflecting God's own nature and His expectations for human society. Justice is not merely a legal term but a divine principle that ensures fairness, equity, and righteousness. In the biblical context, justice is deeply connected to the covenant relationship between God and His people, where God acts as the ultimate judge and lawgiver.

to the poor
The term "poor" in Hebrew is "dal," which refers to those who are weak, lowly, or disadvantaged. The inclusion of the poor in this command underscores God's concern for the marginalized and vulnerable in society. Throughout Scripture, God consistently advocates for the protection and fair treatment of the poor, widows, orphans, and foreigners. This reflects the heart of God, who is described as a defender of the oppressed and a provider for those in need. In a conservative Christian view, this command challenges believers to reflect God's compassion and justice in their own lives.

in their lawsuits
The phrase "in their lawsuits" refers to legal disputes or cases brought before a court. The Hebrew word "riyb" can mean a legal case, dispute, or controversy. This highlights the context in which justice must be applied, particularly in legal settings where the rights of individuals are determined. The command serves as a reminder that the legal system should be a place of fairness and impartiality, where the truth is upheld, and justice is served. In the broader biblical narrative, this reflects the ideal of a society governed by God's laws, where justice is accessible to all, regardless of their social or economic status.

(6) Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor.--If we are not to favour the poor man in a court of justice on account of his poverty (Exodus 23:3), much less are we to treat him with disfavour. (Comp. Deuteronomy 24:17; Deuteronomy 27:19; Jeremiah 5:28, &c.)

Verse 6. - As in verse 3 men were warned not to favour the poor unduly in courts of justice out of compassion for them, so here there is a warning against the opposite, and far more usual error, of leaning against the poor man in our evidence or in our decisions The scales of justice are to be held even; strict right is to be done; our feelings are not be allowed to influence us, much less our class prejudices.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You shall not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

deny
תַטֶּ֛ה (ṯaṭ·ṭeh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

justice
מִשְׁפַּ֥ט (miš·paṭ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

to the poor
אֶבְיֹנְךָ֖ (’eḇ·yō·nə·ḵā)
Adjective - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 34: In want, needy, poor

in their lawsuits.
בְּרִיבֽוֹ׃ (bə·rî·ḇōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7379: Strife, dispute


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OT Law: Exodus 23:6 You shall not deny justice to your (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 23:5
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