Everyday Justice in 15 Scriptures
In a world that is filled with injustice, it is easy to conclude that nothing can be done to help, especially by the powerless and disadvantaged. Yet to bring change, we must first change ourselves. Right behavior begins at the individual level. The principles are available. Right actions will bring right results. God expected justice of people He worked with in the past, as indicated by the following selection of scriptures:
1.
“For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”
(Genesis 18:19, English Standard Version throughout)
2.
“You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice.”
(Exodus 23:2)
3.
“You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in his lawsuit. Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked. And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.”
(Exodus 23:6–8)
4.
“[God] executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.”
(Deuteronomy 10:18)
5.
“Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
(Deuteronomy 16:20)
6.
“You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow’s garment in pledge.”
(Deuteronomy 24:17)
7.
“‘Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”
(Deuteronomy 27:19)
8.
“So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people.”
(2 Samuel 8:15)
9.
“[The beginning of knowledge is] to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity.”
(Proverbs 1:3)
10.
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
(Isaiah 1:17)
11.
“Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.”
(Jeremiah 22:3)
12.
“Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed.”
(Isaiah 56:1)
13.
“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.”
(Proverbs 28:5)
14.
“Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
(Jeremiah 9:24)
15.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
(Micah 6:8)