Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent and the just, because I will not justify the guilty.(A)

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Have nothing to do with a false charge(A) and do not put an innocent(B) or honest person to death,(C) for I will not acquit the guilty.(D)

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Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

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26 It is certainly not good to fine an innocent person
or to beat a noble for his honesty.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. 17:26 Or noble unfairly

26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good,(A)
    surely to flog honest officials is not right.

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26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

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It is not good to show partiality to the guilty,(A)
denying an innocent person justice.(B)

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It is not good to be partial to the wicked(A)
    and so deprive the innocent of justice.(B)

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It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

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23 These sayings also belong to the wise:(A)
It is not good to show partiality in judgment.(B)
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent”(C)
peoples will curse him,(D) and nations will denounce him;

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Further Sayings of the Wise

23 These also are sayings of the wise:(A)

To show partiality(B) in judging is not good:(C)
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,”(D)
    will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.

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

24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

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23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe(A)
and deprive the innocent of justice.

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23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe,(A)
    but deny justice(B) to the innocent.(C)

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23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

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