Deuteronomy 1:17

Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; [but] ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment [is] God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring [it] unto me, and I will hear it.

Ye shall not respect {H5234} persons {H6440} in judgment {H4941}; but ye shall hear {H8085} the small {H6996} as well as the great {H1419}; ye shall not be afraid {H1481} of the face {H6440} of man {H376}; for the judgment {H4941} is God's {H430}: and the cause {H1697} that is too hard {H7185} for you, bring {H7126} it unto me, and I will hear {H8085} it.

You are not to show favoritism when judging, but give equal attention to the small and to the great. No matter how a person presents himself, don't be afraid of him; because the decision is God's. The case that is too hard for you, bring to me and I will hear it.'

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.”

Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; ye shall hear the small and the great alike; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you ye shall bring unto me, and I will hear it.

Commentary

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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 16:19 (10 votes)

    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.

  • Exodus 18:26 (9 votes)

    And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

  • James 2:9 (9 votes)

    But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

  • Proverbs 24:23 (8 votes)

    ¶ These [things] also [belong] to the wise. [It is] not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

  • Leviticus 19:15 (8 votes)

    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.

  • 2 Chronicles 19:6 (8 votes)

    And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who [is] with you in the judgment.

  • Exodus 18:22 (6 votes)

    And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, [that] every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear [the burden] with thee.