"Justice and Judgement" (40 Days of Wisdom for Lent)

The Lord hates false scales,
but he loves accurate weights.
(Proverbs 11:1 ERV)

The poor might have good land that produces plenty of food,
but bad decisions can take it away.
(Proverbs 13:23 ERV)

The Lord wants all scales and balances to be right;
he wants all business agreements to be fair.
People might throw lots to make a decision,
but the answer always comes from the Lord.
(Proverbs 16:11,33 ERV)

A wicked judge will accept a bribe,
and that keeps justice from being done.
It is wrong to punish an innocent person
or attack leaders for doing what is right.
(Proverbs 17:23,26 ERV)

You must be fair in judging others.
it is wrong to favor the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
Let people finish speaking before you try to answer them.
That way you will not embarrass yourself and look foolish.
The first person to speak always seems right
until someone comes and asks the right questions.
(Proverbs 18:5,13,17 ERV)

Using a criminal as a witness makes a joke of justice.
People like that only want to do wrong.
People who show no respect for anything must be brought to justice.
You must punish such fools.
(Proverbs 19:28-29 ERV)

When people live good, honest lives,
their children are blessed.
The Lord hates for people to use the wrong weights
and measures to cheat others.
(Proverbs 20:7,10 ERV)

Do what is right and fair.
The Lord loves that more than sacrifices.
The bad things that evil people do will destroy them,
because they refuse to do what is right.
Those who refuse to help the poor
will not receive help when they need it themselves.
A decision that is fair makes good people happy,
but it makes those who are evil very afraid.
(Proverbs 21:3,7,13,15 ERV)

Never move an old property line
that was marked long ago by your ancestors.
(Proverbs 22:28 ERV)

Never move an old property line,
and don’t take land that belongs to orphans.
The Lord will be against you.
He is powerful and protects orphans.
(Proverbs 23:10 ERV)

These are also words from the wise: A judge must be fair.
He must not support some people simply because he knows them.
The people will turn against a judge who lets the guilty go free.
Even the people of other nations will curse him.
But if a judge punishes the guilty, then people will be happy with him,
and he will be a blessing to them.
(Proverbs 24:23-25)

We honor God for the things he keeps secret.
But we honor kings for the things they can discover.
(Proverbs 25:2- ERV)

It is wrong for a judge to support someone simply because he knows them.
But some judges will change their decisions for the price of a loaf of bread.
(Proverbs 28:21 ERV)

If a king judges the poor fairly,
he will rule for a long time.
Many people want the friendship of a ruler,
but the Lord is the only one who judges people fairly.
(Proverbs 29:14,26 ERV)

Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves.
Help people who are in trouble.
Stand up for what you know is right, and judge all people fairly.
Protect the rights of the poor and those who need help.
(Proverbs 31:8-9 ERV)