Proverbs 17:26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
This proverb offers a clear and powerful condemnation of injustice in both personal and public life. It affirms the principle that righteousness must be honoured and protected, whether in individuals or leaders. When society turns against the just and the upright, whether citizens or rulers, it strays into dangerous territory, where truth is undermined and chaos is given room to grow.
The first part – “to punish the just is not good” – is a moral absolute. It means that condemning, persecuting, or harming those who are innocent, honest, and law-abiding is not only wrong, but destructive to the very fabric of a just society. When the just are punished, it sends a message that integrity is worthless and evil is rewarded. Such injustice weakens trust in authority, erodes moral standards, and discourages righteousness in others. It’s a miscarriage of justice that invites long-term harm to individuals and the community alike.
This can happen in many forms: A truthful employee is penalised for honesty. A faithful believer is mocked or mistreated for their convictions. A fair citizen is wrongly accused, while the guilty go free. All these are forms of punishing the just, and Scripture calls it what it is: not good, a phrase which, though simple, expresses strong disapproval and moral judgment.
To be continued…
Living the Word 