Lexicon :: Strong's H6663 - ṣāḏaq

“If there is a controversy between men, and they go to court, and the judges decide [the issue] between them, and they judge in favor of the innocent and condemn the guilty,

‘Can [mortal] man be just before God or be more righteous than He?

Can a man be pure before his Maker or be more cleansed than He?

“Yes, I know it is true.

But how can a mortal man be right before God?

“For though I were righteous, I could not answer.

I must appeal for mercy to my Opponent and Judge.

“Though I am innocent and in the right, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty;

Though I am blameless, He would denounce me as guilty.

‘If I am wicked, woe to me [for judgment comes]!

And if I am righteous, I dare not lift up my head.

For I am sated and filled with disgrace and the sight of my misery.

“Shall a multitude of words not be answered?

And should a talkative man [making such a long-winded defense] be acquitted?

“Behold now, I have prepared my case;

I know that I will be vindicated.

“What is man, that he should be pure and clean,

Or he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous and just?

“Is it any pleasure or joy to [fn]the Almighty that you are righteous?

Or is it of benefit to Him that you make your ways perfect?

“How then can man be justified and righteous with God?

Or how can he who is born of a woman be pure and clean?

“Far be it from me that I should admit you are right [in your accusations against me];

Until I die, I will not remove my integrity from me.

“Look, let me answer you, in this you are not right or just;

For God is greater and far superior to man.

“If you have anything to say, answer me;

Speak, for I desire to justify you.

“For Job has said, ‘I am righteous [and innocent],

But God has taken away my right;

“If you are righteous, what do you give God,

Or what does He receive from your hand?

“Will you really annul My judgment and set it aside as void?

Will you condemn Me [your God] that you may [appear to] be righteous and justified?

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the LORD are true, they are righteous altogether.

Against You, You only, have I sinned

And done that which is evil in Your sight,

So that You are justified when You speak [Your sentence]

And faultless in Your judgment.

Vindicate the weak and fatherless;

Do justice and maintain the rights of the afflicted and destitute.

And do not enter into judgment with Your servant,

For in Your sight no man living is righteous or justified.

He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous

Are both repulsive to the LORD.

Who justify the wicked and acquit the guilty for a bribe,

And take away the rights of those who are in the right!

All the nations have gathered together

So that the peoples may be assembled.

Who among them (the idolaters) can [fn]predict this [that Judah would return from captivity]

And proclaim to us the former events?

Let them provide their witnesses so that they may be justified,

Or let them hear and say [in acknowledgement], “It is the truth.”

“[fn]Remind Me [of your merits with a thorough report], let us plead and argue our case together;

State your position, that you may be proved right.

“In the LORD all the offspring of Israel

Will be justified (declared free of guilt) and will glory [in God].”

He who declares Me in the right is near;

Who will [dare to] contend with Me?

Let us stand up to each other;

Who is My adversary?

Let him approach Me.

As a result of the [fn]anguish of His soul,

He shall see it and be satisfied;

By His knowledge [of what He has accomplished] the Righteous One,

My Servant, shall justify the many [making them righteous—upright before God, in right standing with Him],

For He shall bear [the responsibility for] their sins.

And the LORD said to me, “Faithless Israel has proved herself less guilty than treacherous Judah [a land of renegades].