But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
But let justice roll down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
But let the right go rolling on like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
But let justice roll on like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream.
But let judgment roll down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
Let judgment run down - Let the execution of justice be everywhere like the showers that fall upon the land to render it fertile; and let righteousness in heart and life be like a mighty river, or the Jordan, that shall wind its course through the whole nation, and carry every abomination into the Dead Sea. Let justice and righteousness prevail everywhere, and sweep their contraries out of the land.
But - (And) let judgment run down (Literally, "roll" English margin) "like water." The duties of either table include both; since there is no true love for man without the love of God, nor any real love or duty to God without the love of man. People will exchange their sins for other sins. They will not break them off unless they be converted to God. But the first outward step in conversion, is to break off sin. He bids them then "let judgment," which had hitherto ever been perverted in its course, "roll on like" a mighty tide of "waters," sweeping before it all hindrances, obstructed by no power, turned aside by no bribery, but pouring on in one perpetual flow, reaching all, refreshing all, and "righteousness like a mighty (or ceaseless) stream." The word "ethan" may signify "strong or perennial." Whence the seventh month, just before the early rain, was called "the month Ethanim 1 Kings 8:2, that is, the month of the "perennial streams," when they alone flowed. In the meaning "perennial," it would stand tacitly contrasted with "streams which fail or lie." True righteousness is not fitful, like an intermitting stream, vehement at one time, then disappearing, but continuous, unfailing.
5:24 Let judgment - Let justice be administered constantly.Righteousness - Equity. Stream - Bearing down all that opposes it.