Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 18:5 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice. "
Proverbs 18:5
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
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Create Free AccountBible Guided Commentary
This verse rightly condemns those who, in giving and carrying out justice, twist judgment. They do this in two ways. First, they excuse people’s crimes and protect them in violence and oppression because of their rank, wealth, or personal favor. No matter what excuse people give, it is wrong to show special favor to the wicked. It dishonors God, insults justice, hurts other people, and helps the rule of sin and Satan. In court, the issue should be the case itself, not the person.
Second, it condemns those who rule against what is right because a person is poor, lowly, outside their own party, or from another country. That is to overturn the cause of the righteous, who should be upheld. God will cause such people to stand.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 18:1
"A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment."
Proverbs 18:2
"A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion."
Proverbs 18:3
"When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace."
Proverbs 18:4
"The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook."
Proverbs 18:6
"A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings."
Proverbs 18:7
"A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul."
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