Fairness and justice are central themes in the Bible. God calls us to treat others with fairness and integrity, whether in personal relationships or broader societal matters. Let’s explore how Scripture guides us to live justly and seek fairness in all areas of life.
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What Does The Bible Say About Being Fair
Proverbs 11:1
“The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of honesty and fairness in our dealings with others. God values integrity and expects us to use accurate measures and weights, treating others with honesty and fairness.
Leviticus 19:35-36
“Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight, or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin.”
God commands His people to be fair and honest in all their dealings. Using dishonest standards or measures goes against His principles of righteousness and fairness.
Proverbs 20:23
“The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.”
Gaining favor with the Lord requires us to be fair and honest in our dealings. Just as dishonest scales are detestable to God, accurate weights reflect our integrity and devotion to righteousness.
Deuteronomy 25:13-15
“Do not have two differing weights in your bag—one heavy, one light. Do not have two differing measures in your house—one large, one small. You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
God expects His people to maintain honest weights and measures, ensuring fairness and justice in their daily lives. By doing so, they are promised long life and blessings in the land God has given them.
Jeremiah 22:13
“Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, making his own people work for nothing, not paying them for their labor.”
This verse condemns the unjust treatment of workers and the exploitation of others for personal gain. God’s judgment is pronounced against those who build their wealth and prosperity through unfair and unrighteous practices.
Proverbs 28:6
“Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.”
God values righteousness and integrity over material wealth. It is better to be poor and live blamelessly than to be rich and engage in unjust or dishonest actions.
Ezekiel 45:9
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You have gone far enough, princes of Israel! Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Stop dispossessing my people, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
God calls out the leaders of Israel, condemning their violence, oppression, and unfair treatment of His people. He demands justice and righteousness, urging them to change their ways and act in accordance with His will.
Proverbs 22:22-23
“Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.”
God is the defender of the poor and needy, and He will bring justice to those who exploit and oppress them. This verse serves as a warning against exploiting the vulnerable and affirms God’s commitment to ensuring fairness and equity.
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
God’s expectation for His people is to live justly, showing fairness and mercy to others. This verse reminds us to walk humbly with our Creator while upholding justice and compassion in our interactions with others.
Proverbs 21:15
“When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.”
Justice and fairness bring joy to those who walk in righteousness, but they serve as a source of fear and retribution for those who engage in wickedness. This verse highlights the consequence of our actions and decisions regarding fairness and justice.
Proverbs 17:23
“The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.”
This verse exposes the corrupt practices of the wicked, who accept bribes to pervert justice and fairness. God detests such acts of dishonesty and reveals the consequences of tampering with justice.
Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
God calls His people to actively pursue justice, defend the oppressed, and care for the vulnerable. This verse emphasizes the importance of standing up for fairness and advocating for those who are marginalized in society.
Amos 5:24
“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”
God desires justice to flow continuously and without interruption. This verse portrays justice and righteousness as vital and fundamental aspects of God’s character that should permeate every aspect of our lives.
Psalm 82:3
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.”
God compels His people to actively defend the weak, the fatherless, the poor, and the oppressed. This verse promotes fairness and advocates for the equitable treatment of all individuals, regardless of their social status.
James 2:9
“But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”
Showcasing partiality or favoritism is a sin in God’s eyes and goes against His principle of fairness. This verse serves as a reminder that God expects His followers to treat all individuals equally, without showing preferential treatment based on external factors.
Psalm 33:5
“The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.”
God’s love for righteousness and justice is evident throughout creation. This verse reveals that fairness and justice are integral to God’s nature, and He desires His people to reflect these qualities in their lives.
Isaiah 56:1
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed.'”
God encourages His people to uphold justice and righteousness because the salvation and righteousness of the Lord are imminent. This verse highlights the connection between our commitment to fairness and God’s divine plan.
Proverbs 28:27
“Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.”
Choosing to be generous and fair to the poor brings blessings, while neglecting their needs brings curses. This verse emphasizes the importance of fairness in our interactions with those who are less fortunate.
Proverbs 24:23-25
“These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good: Whoever says to the guilty, ‘You are innocent,’ will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations. But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come on them.”
This passage warns against showing favoritism or bias in the judicial process. God expects fair and just judgments, and those who convict the guilty are blessed, while those who pervert justice and declare the guilty innocent are cursed.
Proverbs 28:18
“The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.”
Living a life of fairness and integrity leads to protection and safety, while engaging in dishonest practices ultimately leads to downfall and destruction. This verse highlights the significance of choosing the path of righteousness.
Psalm 140:12
“I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.”
God promises to secure justice for the poor and oppressed, actively working on behalf of the needy. This verse provides assurance that God’s fairness will prevail and that He will fight for those who are marginalized.
Isaiah 33:15
“Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil.”
This verse describes the characteristics of those who uphold fairness and justice. It highlights the importance of integrity, rejecting practices such as extortion, bribery, murder, and evil, and encourages us to walk righteously in our daily lives.
Proverbs 6:16-19
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
These verses list various detestable actions in the eyes of the Lord, including lying, shedding innocent blood, devising wicked schemes, and causing strife in the community. God’s hatred towards these actions underscores the importance of fairness, truth, and peace in our interactions with others.
Psalms 89:14
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.”
This verse acknowledges the foundational role of righteousness and justice in God’s kingdom. Fairness and integrity are integral to God’s character, and He desires His followers to embody these qualities in their lives, accompanied by love and faithfulness.
Proverbs 24:12
“If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?”
This verse serves as a reminder that God weighs and examines the intentions of our hearts. Claiming ignorance or turning a blind eye to injustice does not escape His notice. He will hold each person accountable for their actions, rewarding or repaying them accordingly.