⁸ⁿIf thou seest ^othe oppression of the poor, and ^oviolent perverting of judgment and justice in a ^pprovince, marvel not ^†at the matter: for ^qhe that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

⁹Moreover ^rthe profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

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Footnotes

nch. 3:16. & 4:1.
pSee ch. 2:8.
†Heb. at the will, or, purpose. See ch. 3:1.
qSo Ps. 12:5.
rSee ch. 1:3.

Cross references

o Ezek. 18:18.
o Ezek. 18:18.

Public Domain

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don’t be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them. The profit from the land is taken by all; the king is served by the field.

NLTNew Living Translation

Don’t be surprised if you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and if justice is being miscarried throughout the land. For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice get lost in red tape and bureaucracy. Even the king milks the land for his own profit!

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Do not be surprised if you see the poor being oppressed with violence

or do not see justice and righteousness in the province.

For one official is watched by a higher official,

and there are even higher officials over them!

The produce of the land is exploited by everyone;

even the king profits from the field of the poor!