Kings cannot tolerate evil, because justice is what makes a government strong.

The king sits in judgment and knows evil when he sees it.

"Be honest and just when you make decisions in legal cases; do not show favoritism to the poor or fear the rich.

"At that time I instructed them, 'Listen to the disputes that come up among your people. Judge every dispute fairly, whether it concerns only your own people or involves foreigners who live among you.

"Appoint judges and other officials in every town that the LORD your God gives you. These men are to judge the people impartially.

Always be fair and just, so that you will occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you and so that you will continue to live there.

David ruled over all of Israel and made sure that his people were always treated fairly and justly.

Do you rulers ever give a just decision? Do you judge everyone fairly?

No! You think only of the evil you can do, and commit crimes of violence in the land.

Teach the king to judge with your righteousness, O God; share with him your own justice,

so that he will rule over your people with justice and govern the oppressed with righteousness.

When the poor cried out, I helped them; I gave help to orphans who had nowhere to turn.

I was eyes for the blind, and feet for the lame.

I was like a father to the poor and took the side of strangers in trouble.

and learn to do right. See that justice is done---help those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights, and defend widows."

Your leaders are rebels and friends of thieves; they are always accepting gifts and bribes. They never defend orphans in court or listen when widows present their case.

he will judge the poor fairly and defend the rights of the helpless. At his command the people will be punished, and evil persons will die.

Some day there will be a king who rules with integrity, and national leaders who govern with justice.

Each of them will be like a shelter from the wind and a place to hide from storms. They will be like streams flowing in a desert, like the shadow of a giant rock in a barren land.

why they are fat and well fed. There is no limit to their evil deeds. They do not give orphans their rights or show justice to the oppressed.

"I, the LORD, command you to do what is just and right. Protect the person who is being cheated from the one who is cheating him. Do not mistreat or oppress aliens, orphans, or widows; and do not kill innocent people in this holy place.

Does it make you a better king if you build houses of cedar, finer than those of others? Your father enjoyed a full life. He was always just and fair, and he prospered in everything he did.

He gave the poor a fair trial, and all went well with him. That is what it means to know the LORD.

The LORD says, "The time is coming when I will choose as king a righteous descendant of David. That king will rule wisely and do what is right and just throughout the land.

So then, Your Majesty, follow my advice. Stop sinning, do what is right, and be merciful to the poor. Then you will continue to be prosperous."

You have oppressed the poor and robbed them of their grain. And so you will not live in the fine stone houses you build or drink wine from the beautiful vineyards you plant.

I know how terrible your sins are and how many crimes you have committed. You persecute good people, take bribes, and prevent the poor from getting justice in the courts.

"Long ago I gave these commands to my people: 'You must see that justice is done, and must show kindness and mercy to one another.

Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion! Shout for joy, you people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you! He comes triumphant and victorious, but humble and riding on a donkey--- on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Stop judging by external standards, and judge by true standards."

You love what is right and hate what is wrong. That is why God, your God, has chosen you and has given you the joy of an honor far greater than he gave to your companions."

Then I saw heaven open, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True; it is with justice that he judges and fights his battles.