What does the Bible say about justice?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that justice reflects God’s own righteous character and calls His people to act with fairness, mercy, and integrity toward all. Micah 6:8 and Isaiah 1:17 join justice to humble obedience and active care for the vulnerable, while Amos 5:24 condemns empty worship that is not matched by righteous living. God loves justice, as Psalms 33:5 and Isaiah 61:8 declare, and He will finally judge every person with perfect righteousness (Ecclesiastes 3:17). Therefore, believers should seek justice not to earn God’s favor, but as grateful servants redeemed by His grace, offering obedience that is more pleasing to Him than outward sacrifice (Proverbs 21:3).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, To love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do well. Seek justice, Relieve the oppressed, Judge the fatherless, Plead for the widow."
Amos 5:24
But let justice roll on like rivers, And righteousness like a mighty stream.
Proverbs 21:15
It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
Isaiah 30:18
Therefore will Yahweh wait, that he may be gracious to you; and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy on you: for Yahweh is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
Psalms 33:5
He loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of the loving kindness of Yahweh.
Isaiah 61:8
For I, Yahweh, love justice, I hate robbery with iniquity; and I will give them their recompense in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Psalms 106:3
Blessed are those who keep justice. Blessed is one who does what is right at all times.
Ecclesiastes 3:17
I said in my heart, "God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work."
Proverbs 21:3
To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.

Study outline

Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.

Nave's Topical Bible

General scriptures concerning Exodus 23:1-3; Exodus 23:6-8; Leviticus 19:13-15; Deuteronomy 16:18-20; Deuteronomy 25:1-4; Ezra 7:26; Psalms 72:1; Psalms 72:2; Psalms 82:2-4; Proverbs 17:15; Proverbs 17:26; Proverbs 18:5
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Torrey's New Topical Textbook

Commanded Deuteronomy 16:20; Isaiah 56:1
Christ, an example of Psalms 98:9; Isaiah 11:4; Jeremiah 23:5
Specially required in rulers 2 Samuel 23:3; Ezekiel 45:9
To be done
In executing judgment Deuteronomy 16:18; Jeremiah 21:12
In buying and selling Leviticus 19:36; Deuteronomy 25:15
To the poor Proverbs 29:14; Proverbs 31:9
To the fatherless and widows Isaiah 1:17
To servants Colossians 4:1
Gifts impede Exodus 23:8
God
Requires Micah 6:8
Sets the highest value on Proverbs 2:13
Delights in Proverbs 11:1
Gives wisdom to execute 1 Kings 3:11; 1 Kings 3:12; Proverbs 2:6; Proverbs 2:9
Displeased with the want of Ecclesiastes 5:8
Brings its own reward Jeremiah 22:15
Saints should
Study the principles of Philippians 4:8
Receive instruction in Proverbs 1:3
Pray for wisdom to execute 1 Kings 3:9
Always do Psalms 119:121; Ezekiel 18:8; Ezekiel 18:9
Take pleasure in doing Proverbs 21:15
Teach others to do Genesis 18:19
Promises to Isaiah 33:15; Isaiah 33:16; Jeremiah 7:5; Jeremiah 7:7
The wicked
Scorn Proverbs 19:28
Abhor Micah 3:9
Call not for Isaiah 59:4
Banish Isaiah 59:14
Pass over Luke 11:42
Afflict those who act with Job 12:4; Amos 5:12
Exemplified
Moses Numbers 16:15
Samuel 1 Samuel 12:4
David 2 Samuel 8:15
Solomon 1 Kings 3:16-27
Josiah Jeremiah 22:15
Joseph Luke 23:50; Luke 23:51
Apostles 1 Thessalonians 2:10

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