Deuteronomy 16:20
New International Version
Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.

New Living Translation
Let true justice prevail, so you may live and occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

English Standard Version
Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Berean Standard Bible
Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live, and you may possess the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

King James Bible
That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

New King James Version
You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the LORD your God is giving you.

New American Standard Bible
Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, so that you may live and possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you.

NASB 1995
“Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you.

NASB 1977
“Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you.

Legacy Standard Bible
Righteousness! Righteousness, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which Yahweh your God is giving you.

Amplified Bible
You shall pursue justice, and only justice [that which is uncompromisingly righteous], so that you may live and take possession of the land which the LORD your God is giving you.

Christian Standard Bible
Pursue justice and justice alone, so that you will live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Pursue justice and justice alone, so that you will live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.”

American Standard Version
That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.

Contemporary English Version
People of Israel, if you want to enjoy a long and successful life, make sure that everyone is treated with justice in the land the LORD is giving you.

English Revised Version
That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Strive for nothing but justice so that you will live and take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Good News Translation
Always be fair and just, so that you will occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you and so that you will continue to live there.

International Standard Version
You are to pursue justice—and only justice—so you may live and possess the land that the LORD your God is about to give you."

Majority Standard Bible
Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live, and you may possess the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

NET Bible
You must pursue justice alone so that you may live and inherit the land the LORD your God is giving you.

New Heart English Bible
You shall follow that which is altogether just, that you may live, and inherit the land which the LORD your God gives you.

Webster's Bible Translation
That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

World English Bible
You shall follow that which is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Righteousness—you pursue righteousness, so that you live and have possessed the land which your God YHWH is giving to you.

Young's Literal Translation
Righteousness -- righteousness thou dost pursue, so that thou livest, and hast possessed the land which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee.

Smith's Literal Translation
Justice, justice shalt thou follow, so that thou live and inherit the land which Jehovah thy God gave to thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt follow justly after that which is just: that thou mayst live and possess the land, which the Lord thy God shall give thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You shall justly pursue what is just, so that you may live and possess the land, which the Lord your God will give to you.

New American Bible
Justice, justice alone shall you pursue, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD, your God, is giving you.

New Revised Standard Version
Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, so that you may live and occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But you must judge your neighbor righteously, that you may live and go in and inherit the land which the LORD your God gives you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But in righteousness judge your neighbor that you may live and you may enter and inherit the land that LORD JEHOVAH your God gives you.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Justice, justice shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou shalt justly pursue justice, that ye may live, and go in and inherit the land which the Lord thy God gives thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judges and Justice
19Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. 20Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live, and you may possess the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Cross References
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Amos 5:24
But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

Proverbs 21:3
To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Leviticus 19:15
You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.

Psalm 82:3-4
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.

Isaiah 56:1
This is what the LORD says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for My salvation is coming soon, and My righteousness will be revealed.

Jeremiah 22:3
This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.

Zechariah 7:9
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another.

Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Luke 11:42
Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Matthew 5:20
For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Romans 2:13
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.

James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.


Treasury of Scripture

That which is altogether just shall you follow, that you may live, and inherit the land which the LORD your God gives you.

That which, etc.

Deuteronomy 25:13-16
Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small…

Micah 6:8
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

live

Deuteronomy 4:1
Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.

Ezekiel 18:5,9
But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, …

Romans 10:5
For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

Jump to Previous
Alone Altogether Heritage Inherit Justice Live Mayest Possess Possessed Pursue Righteousness
Jump to Next
Alone Altogether Heritage Inherit Justice Live Mayest Possess Possessed Pursue Righteousness
Deuteronomy 16
1. The feast of the Passover
9. of weeks
13. of tabernacles
16. Every male must offer, as he is able, at these three feasts
18. Of judges and justice
21. Asherah poles and images are forbidden














Pursue justice, and justice alone
The Hebrew word for "pursue" is "רָדַף" (radaph), which conveys a sense of active, relentless pursuit. This is not a passive suggestion but a command to actively seek out justice in all aspects of life. The repetition of "justice" (צֶדֶק, tzedek) emphasizes its importance and purity. In the ancient Near Eastern context, justice was foundational to societal stability and was seen as a divine attribute. The call to pursue justice "alone" underscores the exclusivity and priority of this pursuit over other interests or desires. It reflects God's character, as He is often described as a just and righteous judge throughout Scripture (e.g., Psalm 9:8).

so that you may live
The phrase "so that you may live" ties the pursuit of justice directly to the well-being and vitality of the community. In Hebrew, "live" (חָיָה, chayah) implies not just physical survival but thriving in a holistic sense—spiritually, morally, and communally. This reflects the biblical principle that righteousness and justice lead to life and blessing, while injustice leads to death and curse (Proverbs 11:19). The Israelites were reminded that their quality of life was contingent upon their adherence to God's standards of justice.

and you may possess the land
The promise of possessing the land is a recurring theme in Deuteronomy, tied to the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. The Hebrew word for "possess" (יָרַשׁ, yarash) implies taking ownership and stewardship. This was not merely a physical inheritance but a spiritual responsibility. The land was a gift from God, contingent upon Israel's obedience to His laws, including the pursuit of justice. This reflects the broader biblical narrative where the land is both a blessing and a test of faithfulness.

the LORD your God is giving you
This phrase emphasizes the divine origin of the promise. "The LORD" (יְהוָה, Yahweh) is the covenant name of God, highlighting His personal relationship with Israel. The use of "your God" personalizes this relationship, reminding the Israelites of their unique identity as God's chosen people. The verb "is giving" (נָתַן, natan) is in the present tense, indicating that God's promise is ongoing and active. It underscores the grace and generosity of God, who provides for His people not based on their merit but His covenantal faithfulness. This serves as a reminder that the pursuit of justice is not just a legal obligation but a response to God's gracious provision.

Verse 20. - That which is altogether just; literally, justice, justice. The repetition of the word is for the sake of emphasis, as in Genesis 14:10, "pits, pits," equal to full of pits.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Pursue
תִּרְדֹּ֑ף (tir·dōp̄)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

justice,
צֶ֥דֶק (ṣe·ḏeq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6664: The right, equity, prosperity

and justice alone,
צֶ֖דֶק (ṣe·ḏeq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6664: The right, equity, prosperity

so that
לְמַ֤עַן (lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

you may live,
תִּֽחְיֶה֙ (tiḥ·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

and you may possess
וְיָרַשְׁתָּ֣ (wə·yā·raš·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3423: To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin

the land
הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

is giving you.
נֹתֵ֥ן (nō·ṯên)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set


Links
Deuteronomy 16:20 NIV
Deuteronomy 16:20 NLT
Deuteronomy 16:20 ESV
Deuteronomy 16:20 NASB
Deuteronomy 16:20 KJV

Deuteronomy 16:20 BibleApps.com
Deuteronomy 16:20 Biblia Paralela
Deuteronomy 16:20 Chinese Bible
Deuteronomy 16:20 French Bible
Deuteronomy 16:20 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Deuteronomy 16:20 You shall follow that which is altogether (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 16:19
Top of Page
Top of Page