They are not to be unjust or show partiality in their judgments; and they are not to accept bribes, for gifts blind the eyes even of wise and honest men, and cause them to give wrong decisions.

" 'God's curse on anyone who deprives foreigners, orphans, and widows of their rights.' "And all the people will answer, 'Amen!'

"Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner; remember that you were foreigners in Egypt.

Do not mistreat any widow or orphan.

Do not follow the majority when they do wrong or when they give testimony that perverts justice.

"Do not deny justice to a poor person when he appears in court.

"Do not mistreat a foreigner; you know how it feels to be a foreigner, because you were foreigners in Egypt.

Here I am. If I have done anything wrong, accuse me now in the presence of the LORD and the king he has chosen. Have I taken anybody's cow or anybody's donkey? Have I cheated or oppressed anyone? Have I accepted a bribe from anyone? If I have done any of these things, I will pay back what I have taken."

The people answered, "No, you have not cheated us or oppressed us; you have not taken anything from anyone."

You used your power and your position to take over the whole land.

You not only refused to help widows, but you also robbed and mistreated orphans.

Everyone who saw me or heard of me had good things to say about what I had done.

People who were in deepest misery praised me, and I helped widows find security.

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

I destroyed the power of cruel men and rescued their victims.

God presides in the heavenly council; in the assembly of the gods he gives his decision:

Defend the rights of the poor and the orphans; be fair to the needy and the helpless.

"How ignorant you are! How stupid! You are completely corrupt, and justice has disappeared from the world.

How much longer will the wicked be glad? How much longer, LORD?

They crush your people, LORD; they oppress those who belong to you.

Don't take advantage of the poor just because you can; don't take advantage of those who stand helpless in court.

The LORD will argue their case for them and threaten the life of anyone who threatens theirs.

When they drink, they forget the laws and ignore the rights of people in need.

Don't be surprised when you see that the government oppresses the poor and denies them justice and their rights. Every official is protected by someone higher, and both are protected by still higher officials.

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.

You have no right to crush my people and take advantage of the poor. I, the Sovereign LORD Almighty, have spoken."

You can survive if you say and do what is right. Don't use your power to cheat the poor and don't accept bribes. Don't join with those who plan to commit murder or to do other evil things.

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.

None of you in the city honor your parents. You cheat foreigners and take advantage of widows and orphans.

The wealthy cheat and rob. They mistreat the poor and take advantage of foreigners.

You are doomed, you that twist justice and cheat people out of their rights!

He brings destruction on the mighty and their strongholds.

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.

How terrible it will be for those who lie awake and plan evil! When morning comes, as soon as they have the chance, they do the evil they planned.

When they want fields, they seize them; when they want houses, they take them. No one's family or property is safe.

They are all experts at doing evil. Officials and judges ask for bribes. The influential people tell them what they want, and so they scheme together.

Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners who live among you, or anyone else in need. And do not plan ways of harming one another.'

The LORD Almighty says, "I will appear among you to judge, and I will testify at once against those who practice magic, against adulterers, against those who give false testimony, those who cheat employees out of their wages, and those who take advantage of widows, orphans, and foreigners---against all who do not respect me.

Some soldiers also asked him, "What about us? What are we to do?" He said to them, "Don't take money from anyone by force or accuse anyone falsely. Be content with your pay."

But you dishonor the poor! Who are the ones who oppress you and drag you before the judges? The rich!

If you take someone's cloak as a pledge that he will pay you, you must give it back to him before the sun sets,

because it is the only covering he has to keep him warm. What else can he sleep in? When he cries out to me for help, I will answer him because I am merciful.