"Do not deprive foreigners and orphans of their rights; and do not take a widow's garment as security for a loan.

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

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 accept a bribe, for a bribe makes people blind to what is right and ruins the cause of those who are innocent.

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

But they did not follow their father's example; they were interested only in making money, so they accepted bribes and did not decide cases honestly.

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."

If I have ever cheated an orphan, knowing I could win in court,

then may my arms be broken; may they be torn from my shoulders.

Corrupt judges accept secret bribes, and then justice is not done.

You may be wise, but if you cheat someone, you are acting like a fool. If you take a bribe, you ruin your character.

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.

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.

Some of your people murder for pay. Some charge interest on the loans they make to other Israelites and get rich by taking advantage of them. They have forgotten me." The Sovereign LORD has spoken.

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.

The law is weak and useless, and justice is never done. Evil people get the better of the righteous, and so justice is perverted.

Its officials are like roaring lions; its judges are like hungry wolves, too greedy to leave a bone until morning.

But the LORD is still in the city; he does what is right and never what is wrong. Every morning without fail, he brings justice to his people. And yet the unrighteous people there keep on doing wrong and are not ashamed.

But Paul said to the police officers, "We were not found guilty of any crime, yet they whipped us in public---and we are Roman citizens! Then they threw us in prison. And now they want to send us away secretly? Not at all! The Roman officials themselves must come here and let us out."

Paul said to him, "God will certainly strike you---you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the Law, yet you break the Law by ordering them to strike me!"

"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.

Show no partiality in your decisions; judge everyone on the same basis, no matter who they are. Do not be afraid of anyone, for the decisions you make come from God. If any case is too difficult for you, bring it to me, and I will decide it.'

The LORD your God is supreme over all gods and over all powers. He is great and mighty, and he is to be obeyed. He does not show partiality, and he does not accept bribes.

Do not make false accusations, and do not put an innocent person to death, for I will condemn anyone who does such an evil thing.

Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe makes people blind to what is right and ruins the cause of those who are innocent.

The wise have also said these things: It is wrong for judges to be prejudiced.

Don't give evidence against others without good reason, or say misleading things about them.

Peter began to speak: "I now realize that it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis.