KJV: He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
ASV: He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
Matthew Henry Commentary
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
This shows what an offence it is to God, 1. When those that are entrusted with the administration of public justice, judges, juries, witnesses, prosecutors, counsel, do either acquit the guilty or condemn those that are not guilty, or in the least contribute to either; this defeats the end of government, which is to protect the good and punish the bad, Ro 13:3,4. It is equally provoking to God to justify the wicked, though it be in pity and in favorem vitae--to safe life, as to condemn the just. 2. When any private persons plead for sin and sinners, palliate and excuse wickedness, or argue against virtue and piety, and so pervert the right ways of the Lord and confound the eternal distinctions between good and evil.
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