Dis ‘Em

(Proverbs 24:23 KJV)  These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

We have an ideal in our American traditions that “all men are created equal.”  The point is that we are to be equal before the law, not that we have the same abilities or potential.  This is based on such truths as taught in this verse when we say we are not to “respect persons” (show partiality NASB) (5234/6440) in “judgement” (4941).

That is a good point to start but we cannot finish there.  It does not stop in the “justice is blind” mode.  If you look at the next verse you see that the teaching extends to the axis of wicked/righteous.  You will notice that the lack of bias only runs one way. 

The concern is the tendency of people, in and out of power, to give special privileges to those who can bribe or coerce.  It is a tendency to allow corruption and not judge evil.

So?  Evil exists.  Don’t ignore that by the plea of “judge not.”  That is a direction to correct our own actions not to stand up to the wicked.  We are to support the righteous.  We have choices to make.