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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/leviticus/19-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/03_Lev_19_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Leviticus 19:15 - Love Your Neighbor" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/leviticus/19-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/leviticus/19-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/leviticus/">Leviticus</a> > <a href="/leviticus/19.htm">Chapter 19</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/leviticus/19-14.htm" title="Leviticus 19:14">◄</a> Leviticus 19:15 <a href="/leviticus/19-16.htm" title="Leviticus 19:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/leviticus/19.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/leviticus/19.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220&#8217Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/leviticus/19.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/leviticus/19.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/19.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/19.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: <i>but</i> in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/19.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/19.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />‘You shall not do injustice in judgment; you shall not show partiality to the poor nor give preference to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/19.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/19.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/19.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />‘You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/19.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />‘You shall not do injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor show a preference for the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/19.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Do not act unjustly when deciding a case. Do not be partial to the poor or give preference to the rich; judge your neighbor fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/19.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not act unjustly when deciding a case. Do not be partial to the poor or give preference to the rich; judge your neighbor fairly. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/19.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/leviticus/19.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Be fair, no matter who is on trial--don't favor either the poor or the rich. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/19.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/19.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Don't be corrupt when administering justice. Never give special favors to poor people, and never show preference to important people. Judge your neighbor fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/leviticus/19.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Be honest and just when you make decisions in legal cases; do not show favoritism to the poor or fear the rich. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/19.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You are not to be unjust in deciding a case. You are not to show partiality to the poor or honor the great. Instead, decide the case of your neighbor with righteousness."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/19.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/19.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"'You must not deal unjustly in judgment: you must neither show partiality to the poor nor honor the rich. You must judge your fellow citizen fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/19.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"'You shall do no injustice in judgment: you shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/19.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment; thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/19.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/19.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You do not do perversity in judgment; you do not lift up the face of the poor, nor honor the face of the great; you judge your fellow in righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/19.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Ye do not do perversity in judgment; thou dost not lift up the face of the poor, nor honour the face of the great; in righteousness thou dost judge thy fellow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/19.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Ye shall not do evil in judgment; thou shalt not take up the face of the poor; thou shalt not reverence the face of the great: in justice shalt thou judge thy neighbor.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/19.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not do that which is unjust, nor judge unjustly. Respect not the person of the poor, nor honour the countenance of the mighty. But judge thy neighbour according to justice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/19.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall not do what is unjust, nor shall you judge unjustly. You shall not consider the reputation of the poor, nor shall you honor the countenance of the powerful. Judge your neighbor justly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/19.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not act dishonestly in rendering judgment. Show neither partiality to the weak nor deference to the mighty, but judge your neighbor justly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/19.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/19.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor, nor respect the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/19.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />You shall not do evil in judgment and you shall not accept the face of the poor neither the face of the great, but in righteousness judge your fellow man.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/19.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment; thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor favour the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/19.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not act unjustly in judgment: thou shalt not accept the person of the poor, nor admire the person of the mighty; with justice shalt thou judge thy neighbour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/19-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWs_V1RyMFo?start=5067" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/19.htm">Love Your Neighbor</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>You must not curse the deaf or place a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God. I am the LORD. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">You must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ṯa·‘ă·śū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">pervert</a> <a href="/hebrew/5766.htm" title="5766: ‘ā·wel (N-ms) -- Injustice, unrighteousness. Or lavel; and lavlah; or owlah; or.olah; from aval; evil."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: bam·miš·pāṭ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Judgment. ">justice;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">you must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: ṯiś·śā (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">show partiality</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: p̄ə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1800.htm" title="1800: ḏāl (Adj-msc) -- Dangling, weak, thin. From dalal; properly, dangling, i.e. weak or thin.">to the poor</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/1921.htm" title="1921: ṯeh·dar (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To honor, adorn, perhaps to swell. A primitive root; to swell up; by implication, to favor or honour, be high or proud.">favoritism</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê (N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: ḡā·ḏō·wl (Adj-ms) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">to the rich;</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: tiš·pōṭ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To judge, govern. ">you are to judge</a> <a href="/hebrew/5997.htm" title="5997: ‘ă·mî·ṯe·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- An associate, fellow, relation. From a primitive root meaning to associate; companionship; hence a comrade or kindred man.">your neighbor</a> <a href="/hebrew/6664.htm" title="6664: bə·ṣe·ḏeq (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Rightness, righteousness. From tsadaq; the right; also equity or prosperity.">fairly.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-17.htm">Deuteronomy 1:17</a></span><br />Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-1.htm">James 2:1-4</a></span><br />My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism. / Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. / If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Exodus 23:2-3</a></span><br />You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd. / And do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-23.htm">Proverbs 24:23</a></span><br />These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Deuteronomy 16:19</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-9.htm">James 2:9</a></span><br />But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-5.htm">Proverbs 18:5</a></span><br />Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-24.htm">John 7:24</a></span><br />Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/19-6.htm">2 Chronicles 19:6-7</a></span><br />Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment. / And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-3.htm">Isaiah 11:3-4</a></span><br />And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, / but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-16.htm">Matthew 22:16</a></span><br />They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/34-19.htm">Job 34:19</a></span><br />who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-11.htm">Romans 2:11</a></span><br />For God does not show favoritism.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-34.htm">Acts 10:34</a></span><br />Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-25.htm">Colossians 3:25</a></span><br />Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: you shall not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/19-35.htm">Leviticus 19:35</a></b></br> Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/18-21.htm">Exodus 18:21</a></b></br> Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place <i>such</i> over them, <i>to be</i> rulers of thousands, <i>and</i> rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Exodus 23:2</a></b></br> Thou shalt not follow a multitude to <i>do</i> evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest <i>judgment</i>:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/12-14.htm">Defer</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-10.htm">Face</a> <a href="/colossians/4-1.htm">Fairly</a> <a href="/exodus/23-3.htm">Favoritism</a> <a href="/exodus/33-19.htm">Favour</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-11.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/leviticus/14-28.htm">Great</a> <a href="/exodus/28-40.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-3.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-13.htm">Injustice</a> <a href="/exodus/18-26.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/exodus/32-34.htm">Judging</a> <a href="/leviticus/13-37.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/james/4-6.htm">Lowly</a> <a href="/exodus/32-11.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-13.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-13.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/exodus/23-3.htm">Partial</a> <a href="/james/3-17.htm">Partiality</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Perversity</a> <a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Pervert</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-10.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/exodus/40-18.htm">Position</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-3.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/genesis/30-33.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/leviticus/14-57.htm">Show</a> <a href="/exodus/32-14.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/revelation/22-11.htm">Unrighteousness</a> <a href="/leviticus/6-2.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/23-21.htm">Defer</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-27.htm">Face</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-16.htm">Fairly</a> <a href="/acts/10-34.htm">Favoritism</a> <a href="/numbers/6-25.htm">Favour</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-17.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-16.htm">Great</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-32.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-32.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-4.htm">Injustice</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-12.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-12.htm">Judging</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-35.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/psalms/119-141.htm">Lowly</a> <a href="/numbers/22-6.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-16.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-16.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-17.htm">Partial</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-17.htm">Partiality</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-35.htm">Perversity</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Pervert</a> <a href="/leviticus/23-22.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/numbers/2-17.htm">Position</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-28.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-25.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-32.htm">Show</a> <a href="/numbers/24-11.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-35.htm">Unrighteousness</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Leviticus 19</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/19-1.htm">A repetition of various laws</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/19.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/leviticus/19.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You must not pervert justice;</b><br>This command underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and fairness in legal matters. In the ancient Israelite context, justice was a foundational principle of the community, reflecting God's own nature as just and righteous. The Hebrew word for "pervert" implies a twisting or distortion, suggesting that justice must remain pure and unaltered. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Deuteronomy 16:19</a>, where leaders are warned against distorting justice. The call to uphold justice is a reflection of God's character, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/61-8.htm">Isaiah 61:8</a>, where God declares His love for justice.<p><b>you must not show partiality to the poor</b><br>This phrase highlights the need for impartiality in judgment, regardless of a person's social or economic status. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, the poor were often vulnerable and could be easily exploited. However, this command insists that their poverty should not influence the fairness of legal proceedings. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's concern for justice for all, as seen in <a href="/exodus/23-3.htm">Exodus 23:3</a>, which also warns against showing favoritism to the poor in legal matters.<p><b>or favoritism to the rich;</b><br>Similarly, this phrase warns against the common human tendency to favor the wealthy, who might wield influence or power. In the historical context, the rich could potentially bribe or sway judges, leading to corrupt decisions. The Bible consistently condemns such practices, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/18-5.htm">Proverbs 18:5</a>, which states that it is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice. This command ensures that justice is blind to wealth and status, reflecting the impartiality of God, who judges all people equally.<p><b>you are to judge your neighbor fairly.</b><br>This final phrase encapsulates the essence of the command: fairness and equity in judgment. The term "neighbor" implies a close community relationship, emphasizing that justice is not just a legal obligation but a moral one that affects communal harmony. This principle is reiterated in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches the importance of loving one's neighbor as oneself (<a href="/matthew/22-39.htm">Matthew 22:39</a>). The call to judge fairly is a reflection of God's own fair and righteous judgment, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/9-8.htm">Psalm 9:8</a>, where God judges the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Leviticus, who received the laws from God to instruct the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The original audience of the Levitical laws, called to be a holy nation and to reflect God's character in their community.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/judges_and_leaders.htm">Judges and Leaders</a></b><br>Those responsible for administering justice among the people, ensuring fairness and impartiality.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_promised_land.htm">The Promised Land</a></b><br>The context in which these laws were to be practiced, as the Israelites prepared to live as a covenant community.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate lawgiver, whose character of justice and righteousness is reflected in the laws given to His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/impartiality_reflects_god's_character.htm">Impartiality Reflects God's Character</a></b><br>As God is just and impartial, His people are called to reflect His character by judging fairly and without favoritism.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/justice_in_community.htm">Justice in Community</a></b><br>Fairness in judgment is essential for maintaining a just and righteous community, preventing division and promoting peace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guard_against_bias.htm">Guard Against Bias</a></b><br>Believers must be vigilant against personal biases that can lead to partiality, whether towards the rich or the poor.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_fairness.htm">Practical Fairness</a></b><br>In daily interactions, Christians are to practice fairness, ensuring that decisions and judgments are based on truth and righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_in_leadership.htm">Accountability in Leadership</a></b><br>Those in positions of authority, whether in the church or society, have a responsibility to uphold justice and model impartiality.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_leviticus_19.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 19</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_inequality.htm">What is the Bible's stance on inequality?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_sun_worship.htm">What is the Bible's stance on classism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_stance_on_classism.htm">What is the Bible's stance on classism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_justice.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on justice?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/leviticus/19.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">Do no unrighteousness in judgment.</span>--That is, the judges are not to abuse the authority vested in them by virtue of their office, by administering what ought to be justice in an arbitrary manner.<p><span class= "bld">Thou shalt not respect the person of the poor.</span>--The general statement in the preceding clause is here more minutely defined. The consideration for the infirm enjoined in <a href="/leviticus/19-14.htm" title="You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the LORD.">Leviticus 19:14</a> is not to influence the decision of the judge, who is to administer justice, even if the poor is thereby reduced to greater poverty, and though the rich party to the suit may benevolently desire a verdict against himself to save the needy (<a href="/exodus/23-3.htm" title="Neither shall you countenance a poor man in his cause.">Exodus 23:3</a>). The authorities during the second Temple illustrate it as follows:--"If the rich man should say I am by law obliged to provide for the poor, I will therefore let him win the suit, and he will thus have his wants supplied without being subjected to the humiliation of receiving alms; for this reason it is said thou shalt not respect the person of the poor."<p><span class= "bld">Nor honour the person of the mighty.</span>--Jewish juries, in their extreme desire to be impartial, have gone so far as to urge, that whilst the case between <span class= "bld">a </span>rich man and a poor is being tried, they should both be dressed alike, both alike should either stand or sit, both should have the same right of speech, and both should be addressed by the judge in the same courteous manner. "If ye have respect to persons," says the Apostle, in allusion to this passage, "ye commit sin, <span class= "bld">and </span>are convinced of the law as transgressors" (<a href="/james/2-9.htm" title="But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.">James 2:9</a>, with <a href="/context/leviticus/19-2.htm" title="Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them, You shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.">Leviticus 19:2-4</a>)<span class= "ital">.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/leviticus/19.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - Justice is to be done to all. The less danger of <span class="cmt_word">respecting the person of the poor</span> has to be guarded against, as well as the greater and more obvious peril of <span class="cmt_word">honouring the person of the mighty.</span> The scales of Justice must be held even and her eyes bandaged, that she may not prefer one appellant to another on any ground except that of merit and demerit. "If ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors" (<a href="/james/2-9.htm">James 2:9</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/19-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“You must not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pervert</span><br /><span class="heb">תַעֲשׂ֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṯa·‘ă·śū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">justice;</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּמִּשְׁפָּ֔ט</span> <span class="translit">(bam·miš·pāṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you must not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">show partiality</span><br /><span class="heb">תִשָּׂ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(ṯiś·śā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the poor</span><br /><span class="heb">דָ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(ḏāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1800.htm">Strong's 1800: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dangling, weak, thin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">favoritism</span><br /><span class="heb">תֶהְדַּ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(ṯeh·dar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1921.htm">Strong's 1921: </a> </span><span class="str2">To swell up, to favor, honour, be high, proud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the rich;</span><br /><span class="heb">גָד֑וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(ḡā·ḏō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> </span><span class="str2">Great, older, insolent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you are to judge</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּשְׁפֹּ֥ט</span> <span class="translit">(tiš·pōṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your neighbor</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲמִיתֶֽךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·mî·ṯe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5997.htm">Strong's 5997: </a> </span><span class="str2">Companionship, a comrade, kindred man</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fairly.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּצֶ֖דֶק</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṣe·ḏeq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6664.htm">Strong's 6664: </a> </span><span class="str2">The right, equity, prosperity</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/19-15.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 19:15 You shall do no injustice in judgment: (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/19-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 19:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 19:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/19-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 19:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 19:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>