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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/17.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/proverbs/17.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the LORD detests them both.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— both are detestable to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both <i>are</i> abomination to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike <i>are</i> an abomination to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous Are both repulsive to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just — both are detestable to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just— both are detestable to the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The LORD doesn't like those who defend the guilty or condemn the innocent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Whoever approves of wicked people and whoever condemns righteous people is disgusting to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Condemning the innocent or letting the wicked go--both are hateful to the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Exonerating the wicked and condemning the righteous are both detestable to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous?both are detestable to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The one who acquits the guilty and the one who condemns the innocent--both of them are an abomination to the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever is justifying the wicked, "" And condemning the righteous, "" Even both of these [are] an abomination to YHWH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these are an abomination to Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He justifying the unjust one and he condemning the just one, is an abomination to Jehovah, also they two.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Those who justify the impious, and those who condemn the just, both are abominable with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Whoever acquits the wicked, whoever condemns the just— both are an abomination to the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He who justifies the wicked and condemns the just is an abomination before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He that justifies the evil and condemns the righteous is defiled in front of LORD JEHOVAH.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Even they both are an abomination to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/17-15.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/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=3405" 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/proverbs/17.htm">Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6663.htm" title="6663: maṣ·dîq (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- To be just or righteous. A primitive root; to be right.">Acquitting</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rā·šā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">the guilty</a> <a href="/hebrew/7561.htm" title="7561: ū·mar·šî·a‘ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- To be wicked, act wickedly. A primitive root; to be wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate.">and condemning</a> <a href="/hebrew/6662.htm" title="6662: ṣad·dîq (Adj-ms) -- Just, righteous. From tsadaq; just.">the righteous—</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·nê·hem (Number-mdc:: 3mp) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">both</a> <a href="/hebrew/8441.htm" title="8441: tō·w·‘ă·ḇaṯ (N-fsc) -- Or tonebah; feminine active participle of ta'ab; properly, something disgusting, i.e. an abhorrence; especially idolatry or an idol.">are detestable</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">to the LORD.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. "></a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?…<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="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20</a></span><br />Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-7.htm">Exodus 23:7</a></span><br />Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-1.htm">Deuteronomy 25:1</a></span><br />If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-32.htm">Romans 1:32</a></span><br />Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-23.htm">Isaiah 5:23</a></span><br />who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-15.htm">Luke 16:15</a></span><br />So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-24.htm">Proverbs 24:24</a></span><br />Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent”—peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-4.htm">Habakkuk 1:4</a></span><br />Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-1.htm">Romans 2:1-3</a></span><br />You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. / And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. / So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-13.htm">1 Kings 21:13</a></span><br />And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-28.htm">Matthew 23:28</a></span><br />In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-3.htm">Micah 7:3</a></span><br />Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-10.htm">2 Corinthians 5:10</a></span><br />For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/27-7.htm">Job 27:7</a></span><br />May my enemy be like the wicked and my opponent like the unjust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/94-21.htm">Psalm 94:21</a></span><br />They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He that justifies the wicked, and he that comdemns the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">that justifieth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/24-23.htm">Proverbs 24:23,24</a></b></br> These <i>things</i> also <i>belong</i> to the wise. <i>It is</i> not good to have respect of persons in judgment… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-7.htm">Exodus 23:7</a></b></br> Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/21-13.htm">1 Kings 21:13</a></b></br> And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, <i>even</i> against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.</p><p class="hdg">abomination</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Proverbs 6:16</a></b></br> These six <i>things</i> doth the LORD hate: yea, seven <i>are</i> an abomination unto him:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/11-1.htm">Proverbs 11:1</a></b></br> A false balance <i>is</i> abomination to the LORD: but a just weight <i>is</i> his delight.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/15-8.htm">Proverbs 15:8</a></b></br> The sacrifice of the wicked <i>is</i> an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright <i>is</i> his delight.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/16-12.htm">Abomination</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-1.htm">Acquitting</a> <a href="/psalms/139-12.htm">Alike</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-2.htm">Condemneth</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-32.htm">Condemning</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-2.htm">Condemns</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-33.htm">Decision</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-5.htm">Detests</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-12.htm">Disgusting</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-8.htm">Equally</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-4.htm">Evil-Doer</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-13.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/psalms/109-7.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm">Innocent</a> <a href="/romans/8-33.htm">Justifies</a> <a href="/romans/8-33.htm">Justifieth</a> <a href="/job/32-2.htm">Justifying</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-31.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-17.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-4.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/20-10.htm">Abomination</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-1.htm">Acquitting</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-10.htm">Alike</a> <a href="/romans/8-34.htm">Condemneth</a> <a href="/acts/13-27.htm">Condemning</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-9.htm">Condemns</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-23.htm">Decision</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-10.htm">Detests</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-10.htm">Disgusting</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-12.htm">Equally</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-3.htm">Evil-Doer</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-18.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-8.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-26.htm">Innocent</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-8.htm">Justifies</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-8.htm">Justifieth</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-8.htm">Justifying</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-26.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-26.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-23.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/17-1.htm">Contrasts between the Righteous and the Wicked</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/proverbs/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Acquitting the guilty</b><br>This phrase highlights the concept of justice in biblical terms. In ancient Israel, the legal system was based on the Law given by God, which emphasized fairness and righteousness. Acquitting the guilty is seen as a perversion of justice, as it allows wrongdoing to go unpunished. This is contrary to the character of God, who is just and holy. The Bible consistently condemns such actions, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/5-23.htm">Isaiah 5:23</a>, which warns against justifying the wicked for a bribe. This principle is also reflected in the New Testament, where justice and truth are upheld as virtues.<p><b>and condemning the righteous—</b><br>Condemning the righteous is equally condemned in Scripture. The righteous, those who live according to God's laws and principles, should be upheld and protected by the justice system. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, the righteous were often those who were marginalized or oppressed, and the law was meant to protect them. This phrase echoes the sentiment found in <a href="/exodus/23-7.htm">Exodus 23:7</a>, which instructs not to kill the innocent and righteous. The condemnation of the righteous is seen as an affront to God's justice and order.<p><b>both are detestable to the LORD.</b><br>The term "detestable" indicates something that is abhorrent or loathsome to God. This strong language underscores the seriousness with which God views the perversion of justice. Throughout the Bible, God is portrayed as a righteous judge who abhors injustice. <a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Proverbs 6:16-19</a> lists things that are detestable to the Lord, including a false witness who pours out lies. This phrase also points to the ultimate justice of God, who will one day judge the world in righteousness through Jesus Christ, as seen in <a href="/acts/17-31.htm">Acts 17:31</a>. The detestability of these actions reflects God's perfect nature and His desire for His people to reflect His justice and righteousness in their lives.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The central figure in this verse, representing God's character and His standards of justice and righteousness.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_guilty.htm">The Guilty</a></b><br>Those who have committed wrongdoing or sin, deserving of punishment according to God's law.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_righteous.htm">The Righteous</a></b><br>Individuals who live according to God's commandments and are in right standing with Him.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/judicial_context.htm">Judicial Context</a></b><br>The verse implies a setting where judgments are made, possibly in a court or community setting where justice is administered.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom and understanding of God's laws.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_standard_of_justice.htm">God's Standard of Justice</a></b><br>God detests injustice, whether it is acquitting the guilty or condemning the righteous. His standard is absolute and unchanging.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_righteous_judgment.htm">The Importance of Righteous Judgment</a></b><br>As followers of Christ, we are called to uphold justice in our communities, ensuring that our judgments align with God's truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/moral_integrity_in_leadership.htm">Moral Integrity in Leadership</a></b><br>Leaders, whether in the church or society, must exercise discernment and integrity, reflecting God's justice in their decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_reflection_on_justice.htm">Personal Reflection on Justice</a></b><br>Believers should examine their own lives to ensure they are not guilty of unjust actions or attitudes, seeking God's guidance to live righteously.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_mercy_and_truth.htm">The Role of Mercy and Truth</a></b><br>While justice is crucial, it must be balanced with mercy and truth, reflecting the full character of God in our interactions with others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_unjust_suffering.htm">Proverbs 17:15 declares it detestable to acquit the guilty or condemn the innocent. Why, then, do biblical narratives sometimes show God allowing what appears to be unjust suffering? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_the_bible_mention_condemnation.htm">Does the Bible mention condemnation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_context_justifies_psalm_58's_curses.htm">Which historical context supports the harsh curses in Psalm 58 when other biblical texts advocate forgiveness? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_isn't_god's_forgiveness_universal.htm">Why doesn't God forgive everyone unconditionally?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">He that justifieth the wicked--</span><span class= "ital">i.e., </span>acquits. The perversion of justice was a fruitful source of evil in Israel, and a constant topic of reproach in the mouth of the prophets (<a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm" title="And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.">1Samuel 8:3</a>; <a href="/psalms/82-2.htm" title="How long will you judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.">Psalm 82:2</a>; <a href="/isaiah/5-7.htm" title="For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.">Isaiah 5:7</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He that justifieth</span> - in a forensic sense, declares righteous, acquits - <span class="cmt_word">the wicked,</span> etc. Two forms of the perversion of justice are censured, viz. the acquittal of a guilty person and the condemnation of an innocent one (comp. <a href="/proverbs/24-24.htm">Proverbs 24:24</a>; <a href="/isaiah/5-23.htm">Isaiah 5:23</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/17-15.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">Acquitting</span><br /><span class="heb">מַצְדִּ֣יק</span> <span class="translit">(maṣ·dîq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6663.htm">Strong's 6663: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be just or righteous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the guilty</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֭שָׁע</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrong, an, bad person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and condemning</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמַרְשִׁ֣יעַ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mar·šî·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7561.htm">Strong's 7561: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, wrong, to disturb, violate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the righteous—</span><br /><span class="heb">צַדִּ֑יק</span> <span class="translit">(ṣad·dîq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6662.htm">Strong's 6662: </a> </span><span class="str2">Just, righteous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">both</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(šə·nê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - mdc | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are detestable</span><br /><span class="heb">תּוֹעֲבַ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(tō·w·‘ă·ḇaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8441.htm">Strong's 8441: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּם־</span> <span class="translit">(gam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/17-15.htm">Proverbs 17:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/17-15.htm">Proverbs 17:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/17-15.htm">Proverbs 17:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/17-15.htm">Proverbs 17:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/17-15.htm">Proverbs 17:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/17-15.htm">Proverbs 17:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/17-15.htm">Proverbs 17:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/17-15.htm">Proverbs 17:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/17-15.htm">Proverbs 17:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/17-15.htm">Proverbs 17:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/17-15.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 17:15 He who justifies the wicked and he (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/17-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 17:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 17:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/17-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 17:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 17:16" /></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>