Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. New Living Translation Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. English Standard Version Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Berean Standard Bible Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. King James Bible Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. New King James Version Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy. New American Standard Bible Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the poor and needy. NASB 1995 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. NASB 1977 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. Legacy Standard Bible Open your mouth, judge righteously, And render justice to the afflicted and needy. Amplified Bible Open your mouth, judge righteously, And administer justice for the afflicted and needy. Christian Standard Bible Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy. Holman Christian Standard Bible Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy. American Standard Version Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy. Contemporary English Version Be fair and give justice to the poor and homeless. English Revised Version Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister judgment to the poor and needy. GOD'S WORD® Translation Speak out, judge fairly, and defend the rights of oppressed and needy people." Good News Translation Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy." International Standard Version Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. NET Bible Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. New Heart English Bible Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy." Webster's Bible Translation Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleOpen your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. World English Bible Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionOpen your mouth, judge righteously, "" Both the cause of the poor and needy!” Young's Literal Translation Open thy mouth, judge righteously, Both the cause of the poor and needy!' Smith's Literal Translation Open thy mouth; judge justly, and contend for the poor and needy. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleOpen thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor. Catholic Public Domain Version Open your mouth, declare what is just, and do justice to the indigent and the poor. New American Bible Open your mouth, judge justly, defend the needy and the poor! New Revised Standard Version Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleOpen your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Open your mouth in righteous judgment and judge the poor and the afflicted. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy. Brenton Septuagint Translation Open thy mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Words of King Lemuel…8Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. Cross References Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” Psalm 82:3-4 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. Jeremiah 22:3 This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place. Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Zechariah 7:9-10 “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Matthew 25:35-40 For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ... Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Isaiah 58:6-7 Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Amos 5:24 But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Deuteronomy 16:19-20 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. / Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live, and you may possess the land that the LORD your God is giving you. Exodus 23:6-7 You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits. / Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. Job 29:12-17 because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper. / The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. / I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban. ... Romans 12:13 Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality. Galatians 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Treasury of Scripture Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. Proverbs 16:12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. Proverbs 20:8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. Jump to Previous Afflicted Cause Decisions Defend Fairly Judge Judging Justice Maintain Minister Mouth Need Needy Open Plead Poor Right Righteously Rightly Rights Serve SpeakJump to Next Afflicted Cause Decisions Defend Fairly Judge Judging Justice Maintain Minister Mouth Need Needy Open Plead Poor Right Righteously Rightly Rights Serve SpeakProverbs 31 1. Lemuel's lesson of chastity and temperance6. The afflicted are to be comforted and defended 10. The praise and properties of a good wife Open your mouth This phrase emphasizes the importance of speaking out, particularly in matters of justice and truth. In the biblical context, speaking up is often associated with the role of a prophet or leader who must convey God's truth to the people. Proverbs frequently highlights the power of words, both for good and for harm (Proverbs 18:21). The call to "open your mouth" suggests an active engagement in addressing issues, rather than remaining silent in the face of injustice. Judge righteously And defend the cause of the poor and needy Persons / Places / Events 1. King LemuelTraditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs 31, King Lemuel is believed to have received these teachings from his mother. The identity of Lemuel is not clearly defined in the Bible, and some scholars suggest it may be a symbolic name for Solomon or another king. 2. The Poor and Needy This group represents those who are marginalized, oppressed, or lacking resources. The verse calls for their defense and just treatment. 3. The Royal Court The setting for this proverb is likely the royal court, where justice and decisions affecting the populace were made. The king or ruler is urged to act with righteousness and fairness. Teaching Points Righteous JudgmentAs Christians, we are called to judge situations and people with fairness and integrity, reflecting God's justice. Advocacy for the Vulnerable We should actively seek to protect and support those who are marginalized or disadvantaged in society, following Christ's example of compassion. Speaking Up It is important to use our voices to speak truth and advocate for justice, even when it is unpopular or challenging. Role of Leadership Those in positions of authority have a responsibility to ensure justice and equity, serving as stewards of God's righteousness. Reflecting God's Character Our actions towards the poor and needy should mirror God's love and justice, demonstrating His character to the world. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 31Are you judging with righteous judgment? How should we respond to acts of abuse? Are you judging with righteous judgment? How does the Bible define human dignity?Verse 9. - Plead the cause; rather, minister judgment, or do right; act in your official capacity so that the effect shall be substantial justice (comp. Zechariah 8:16). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Openפְּתַח־ (pə·ṯaḥ-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve your mouth, פִּ֥יךָ (pî·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to judge שְׁפָט־ (šə·p̄āṭ-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate righteously, צֶ֑דֶק (ṣe·ḏeq) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6664: The right, equity, prosperity and defend the cause וְ֝דִ֗ין (wə·ḏîn) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 1777: A straight course, sail direct of the poor עָנִ֥י (‘ā·nî) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6041: Poor, afflicted, humble and needy. וְאֶבְיֽוֹן׃ (wə·’eḇ·yō·wn) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 34: In want, needy, poor Links Proverbs 31:9 NIVProverbs 31:9 NLT Proverbs 31:9 ESV Proverbs 31:9 NASB Proverbs 31:9 KJV Proverbs 31:9 BibleApps.com Proverbs 31:9 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 31:9 Chinese Bible Proverbs 31:9 French Bible Proverbs 31:9 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 31:9 Open your mouth judge righteously and serve (Prov. 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