Deuteronomy 16:18-20(KJV)

Today's verse is Deuteronomy 16:18-20: Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment. Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Today’s verse, Deuteronomy 16:18–20, calls leaders to judge fairly: don’t twist what’s right, play favorites, or accept gifts that cloud good judgment. The phrase “in all thy gates” reminds us that justice belongs wherever people meet and make decisions—not just in courtrooms or big, dramatic moments. That can look pretty ordinary. Maybe you’re helping settle a disagreement, choosing who gets a turn, or deciding whose version of a story to believe. It’s easy to lean toward a friend, or to let a favor make you feel you owe someone. The passage asks us to pause, listen carefully, and check whether our choice is fair to everyone involved. Doing the right thing may take a little extra thought, but fairness builds trust in small, everyday ways. So when you’re asked to weigh in today, take a breath, set favoritism aside, and choose what’s just.

Curated by Lumen, our AI editor