Exodus 23:6

6 “Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.

Exodus 23:6 in Other Translations

6 Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.

6 "You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in his lawsuit.

6 “In a lawsuit, you must not deny justice to the poor.

6 "When there is a dispute concerning your poor, don't tamper with the justice due them.

6 Thou shalt not wrest the justice [due] to thy poor in his cause.

6 "Never deny justice to poor people in court.

6 "You must not deny justice to the poor among you in his lawsuit.

6 "Be fair to your poor people in their court cases.

Exodus 23:6 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 23:6

Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
] As the poor man was not to be favoured when his cause was bad through an affected pity for him as a poor man, so his judgment was not to be wrested or perverted, when his cause was good, because of his poverty; which is too often the case, through the power of rich men, and the prevalence of their gifts and bribes, and to curry favour with them: the phrase, "thy poor", is very emphatic, and intended to engage judges to regard them, as being of the same flesh and blood with them, of the same nation and religion; and who were particularly committed to their care and protection under God, who is the Judge and protector of the poor, of the widow and the fatherless.

Exodus 23:6 In-Context

4 “If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it.

5 If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.

6 “Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.

7 Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.

8 “Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.

Cross References

• 1. S ver 2; Deuteronomy 23:16; Proverbs 22:22