the mighty men and warriors, judges and prophets, omen readers and leaders,

He is the one who reduces rulers to nothing; he makes the earth’s leaders insignificant.

Remind me of what happened! Let’s debate! You, prove to me that you are right!

Learn to do what is right! Promote justice! Give the oppressed reason to celebrate! Take up the cause of the orphan! Defend the rights of the widow!

So now, residents of Jerusalem, people of Judah, you decide between me and my vineyard!

He will take delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by mere appearances, or make decisions on the basis of hearsay.

For the Lord, our ruler, the Lord, our commander, the Lord, our king – he will deliver us.

For the Lord judges all humanity with fire and his sword; the Lord will kill many.

Your officials are rebels, they associate with thieves. All of them love bribery, and look for payoffs. They do not take up the cause of the orphan, or defend the rights of the widow.

I will reestablish honest judges as in former times, wise advisers as in earlier days. Then you will be called, ‘The Just City, Faithful Town.’”

He will treat the poor fairly, and make right decisions for the downtrodden of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and order the wicked to be executed.

Then a trustworthy king will be established; he will rule in a reliable manner, this one from David’s family. He will be sure to make just decisions and will be experienced in executing justice.

I am ready to vindicate, I am ready to deliver, I will establish justice among the nations. The coastlands wait patiently for me; they wait in anticipation for the revelation of my power.

No one is concerned about justice; no one sets forth his case truthfully. They depend on false words and tell lies; they conceive of oppression and give birth to sin.

He will judge disputes between nations; he will settle cases for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations will not take up the sword against other nations, and they will no longer train for war.