Justice is a major theme throughout the Bible. God is characterized as just and righteous, and He desires His people to pursue justice as well. Here are some key Bible passages about justice:
Old Testament Verses About Justice
Leviticus 19:15 – “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.” This verse calls for impartiality in judgment.
Psalm 89:14 – “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.” This Psalm praises God for His justice.
Psalm 106:3 – “Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!” Observing justice is linked to righteousness.
Proverbs 21:15 – “When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” Justice rightly brings joy to the righteous.
Isaiah 1:17 – “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” This verse calls God’s people to actively pursue justice.
Isaiah 30:18 – “For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” Those who wait for the Lord can expect His justice.
Jeremiah 9:24 – “…I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” God delights to act with justice.
Amos 5:24 – “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” A poetic description of abundant justice.
New Testament Verses About Justice
Matthew 12:18 – “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.” This prophecy of Christ notes He will proclaim justice.
Luke 18:7-8 – “And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.” God will give justice to His people speedily.
Acts 17:31 – “[God] has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” God will judge the world justly through Christ.
Romans 3:25-26 – “Whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Christ’s sacrifice displays God’s justice.
2 Thessalonians 1:6 – “For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you.” God justly repays affliction to those who afflict His people.
Hebrews 2:2 – “For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution…” Disobedience receives just punishment.
James 2:8-9 – “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” Showing partiality is considered injustice.
1 Peter 2:23 – “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” Christ trusted Himself to the one who judges justly.
The Bible clearly emphasizes the importance of justice, which is part of God’s character. As Micah 6:8 summarizes, God calls His people to “do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.”
Justice for the Vulnerable
A significant focus of biblical justice is protecting and providing for vulnerable groups like the poor, orphans, widows, and foreigners. God cares deeply for these vulnerable people, and repeatedly calls His people to defend the rights of the poor and needy:
Deuteronomy 10:17-18 – “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.”
Psalm 140:12 – “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy.”
Proverbs 31:8-9 – “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Isaiah 1:16-17 – “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
Jeremiah 22:3 – “Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.”
Biblical justice demands protecting the vulnerable members of society. God is firm in His defense of the poor and needy.
Justice and Mercy
Though justice is important, the Bible also emphasizes showing mercy. Justice and mercy should be balanced—justice should be tempered with mercy, and mercy should be guided by justice. A few verses on linking justice with mercy:
Proverbs 21:3 – “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” Justice is more pleasing than religious rituals.
Hosea 12:6 – “So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.” Returning to God includes returning to justice.
Micah 6:6-8 – “With what shall I come before the Lord… Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Justice and mercy are more important than ritual.
Zechariah 7:9-10 – “Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” Justice should be paired with mercy.
While justice is important, God reminds His people not to neglect mercy and compassion. Pursuing justice should be balanced with exhibiting grace.
Justice and Righteousness
The Bible frequently links justice with righteousness. A righteous person will pursue justice, and a just society will reflect righteousness. Justice is part of living righteously before God. For example:
Psalm 33:5 – “The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” Righteousness and justice reflect God’s character.
Psalm 72:1-2 – “Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!” The king is urged to exercise justice.
Psalm 106:3 – “Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.” Doing what is right includes maintaining justice.
Proverbs 21:3 – “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” Justice pleases God more than religious ritual.
Living righteously involves actively pursuing justice. A just society will reflect genuine righteousness among its citizens.
Injustice Provokes God’s Judgment
Along with verses promoting justice, the Bible contains many passages warning that injustice provokes God’s judgment. Unjust societies cannot expect to escape God’s righteous wrath. For example:
Isaiah 10:1-2 – “Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who keep writing oppression, to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey!” Injustice merits woe.
Ezekiel 22:29, 31 – “The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice… Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them.” Israel’s injustice will bring God’s indignation.
Amos 5:7 – “O you who turn justice to wormwood and cast down righteousness to the earth!” Turning justice into bitterness provokes God.
Amos 5:21-24 – “I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” God values justice above empty ritual.
The Bible often warns that God abhors injustice. He promises to pour out his judgment against individuals and nations that practice injustice.
Justice Established at Christ’s Return
Though we continue to see injustice in our world today, the Bible promises that perfect justice will ultimately be established when Christ returns. God’s people are called to prepare the way for justice:
Isaiah 42:1-4 – “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.” Christ will establish justice on the earth.
2 Peter 3:13 – “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” The new earth will be characterized by perfect righteousness.
Revelation 19:11 – “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.” Christ judges the world in righteousness.
Though injustice presently reigns, we look forward to the day when Christ will return to make all things right. What a day that will be!
In summary, these verses give a sampling of Bible’s perspective on justice. God calls His people to actively pursue justice as an expression of righteousness. Though justice is important, it should be tempered with mercy. Ultimately, perfect justice awaits Christ’s return. Maranatha!