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Chapter
1 - BOOK I Blessed is the one who obeys the law o...
2 - Why do the nations plan evil together? Why do...
3 - A psalm of David when he ran away from his so...
4 - For the director of music. A psalm of David t...
5 - For the director of music. A psalm of David t...
6 - For the director of music. For sheminith. A p...
7 - A shiggaion of David. He sang it to the Lord ...
8 - For the director of music. For gittith. A psa...
9 - For the director of music. A psalm of David t...
10 - Lord, why are you so far away? Why do you hid...
11 - For the director of music. A psalm of David. ...
12 - For the director of music. For sheminith. A p...
13 - For the director of music. A psalm of David. ...
14 - For the director of music. A psalm of David. ...
15 - A psalm of David. Lord, who can live in your ...
16 - A miktam of David. God, keep me safe. I go to...
17 - A prayer of David. Lord, hear me when I ask y...
18 - I love you, Lord. You give me strength....
19 - For the director of music. A psalm of David. ...
20 - For the director of music. A psalm of David. ...
21 - For the director of music. A psalm of David. ...
22 - For the director of music. A psalm of David t...
23 - A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd. He...
24 - A psalm of David. The earth belongs to the Lo...
25 - A psalm of David. Lord, I worship you....
26 - A psalm of David. Lord, when you hand down yo...
27 - A psalm of David. The Lord gives me light and...
28 - A psalm of David. Lord, my Rock, I call out t...
29 - A psalm of David. Praise the Lord, you mighty...
30 - A psalm of David. A song for committing the c...
31 - For the director of music. A psalm of David. ...
32 - A maskil of David. Blessed is the one whose l...
33 - You who are godly, sing with joy to the Lord....
34 - A psalm of David when he was in front of Abim...
35 - A psalm of David. Lord, stand up against thos...
36 - For the director of music. A psalm of David, ...
37 - A psalm of David. Don't be upset because of s...
38 - A psalm of David. A prayer. Lord, don't corre...
39 - For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A ps...
40 - For the director of music. A psalm of David. ...
41 - For the director of music. A psalm of David. ...
42 - BOOK II A deer longs for streams of water. Go...
43 - God, when you hand down your decision, let it...
44 - For the director of music. A maskil of the So...
45 - For the director of music. A maskil of the So...
46 - For the director of music. A song of the Sons...
47 - For the director of music. A psalm of the Son...
48 - A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. The Lor...
49 - For the director of music. A psalm of the Son...
50 - A psalm of Asaph. The Mighty One, God, the Lo...
51 - For the director of music. A psalm of David w...
52 - For the director of music. A maskil of David ...
53 - For the director of music. For mahalath. A ma...
54 - For the director of music. To be played on st...
55 - For the director of music. A maskil of David ...
56 - For the director of music. A miktam of David ...
57 - For the director of music. A miktam of David ...
58 - For the director of music. A miktam of David ...
59 - For the director of music. A miktam of David ...
60 - God, you have turned away from us. You have a...
61 - For the director of music. A psalm of David t...
62 - For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A ps...
63 - A psalm of David when he was in the Desert of...
64 - For the director of music. A psalm of David. ...
65 - For the director of music. A psalm of David. ...
66 - For the director of music. A song. A psalm. S...
67 - For the director of music. A psalm. A song to...
68 - For the director of music. A psalm of David. ...
69 - For the director of music. A psalm of David t...
70 - For the director of music. A prayer of David....
71 - Lord, I have gone to you for safety. Let me n...
72 - A psalm of Solomon. God, give the king the ab...
73 - BOOK III God is truly good to Israel. He is g...
74 - A maskil of Asaph. God, why have you turned y...
75 - For the director of music. A psalm of Asaph. ...
76 - For the director of music. A psalm of Asaph. ...
77 - For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A ps...
78 - A maskil of Asaph. My people, listen to my te...
79 - A psalm of Asaph. God, an army from the natio...
80 - For the director of music. A psalm of Asaph t...
81 - For the director of music. For gittith. A psa...
82 - A psalm of Asaph. God takes his place at the ...
83 - A song. A psalm of Asaph. God, don't keep sil...
84 - For the director of music. For gittith. A psa...
85 - For the director of music. A psalm of the Son...
86 - A prayer of David. Lord, hear me and answer m...
87 - A psalm of the Sons of Korah. A song. The Lor...
88 - For the director of music. For mahalath leann...
89 - A maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. Lord, I will ...
90 - BOOK IV Lord, from the very beginning you hav...
91 - The person who rests in the shadow of the Mos...
92 - A psalm. A song for the Sabbath day. Lord, it...
93 - The Lord rules. He puts on majesty as if it w...
94 - Lord, you are the God who punishes. Since you...
95 - Come, let us sing with joy to the Lord. Let u...
96 - Sing a new song to the Lord. All you people o...
97 - The Lord rules. Let the earth be glad. Let co...
98 - A psalm. Sing a new song to the Lord. He has ...
99 - The Lord rules. Let the nations tremble. He s...
100 - A psalm for giving thanks. Shout to the Lord ...
101 - A psalm of David. I will sing about your love...
102 - A prayer of a suffering man when he is weak a...
103 - A psalm of David. I will praise the Lord. Dee...
104 - I will praise the Lord. Lord my God, you are ...
105 - Give thanks to the Lord. Worship him. Tell th...
106 - Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, bec...
107 - BOOK V Give thanks to the Lord, because he is...
108 - A song. A psalm of David. God, my heart feels...
109 - For the director of music. A psalm of David. ...
110 - A psalm of David. The Lord says to my Lord, "...
111 - Praise the Lord. I will praise the Lord with ...
112 - Praise the Lord. Blessed is the one who has r...
113 - Praise the Lord. Praise him, you who serve th...
114 - The people of Israel came out of Egypt. The p...
115 - Lord, may glory be given to you, not to us. Y...
116 - I love the Lord, because he heard my voice. H...
117 - All you nations, praise the Lord. All you peo...
118 - Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good. ...
119 - Aleph Blessed are those who live without blam...
120 - A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to wo...
121 - A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to wo...
122 - A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to wo...
123 - A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to wo...
124 - A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to wo...
125 - A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to wo...
126 - A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to wo...
127 - A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to wo...
128 - A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to wo...
129 - A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to wo...
130 - A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to wo...
131 - A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to wo...
132 - A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to wo...
133 - A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to wo...
134 - A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to wo...
135 - Praise the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord....
136 - Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good. ...
137 - We were sitting by the rivers of Babylon. We ...
138 - A psalm of David. Lord, I will praise you wit...
139 - For the director of music. A psalm of David. ...
140 - For the director of music. A psalm of David. ...
141 - A psalm of David. Lord, I call out to you. Co...
142 - A prayer of David when he was in the cave. A ...
143 - A psalm of David. Lord, hear my prayer. Liste...
144 - A psalm of David. Give praise to the Lord. He...
145 - A psalm of praise. A psalm of David. I will h...
146 - Praise the Lord. I will praise the Lord....
147 - Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing prais...
148 - Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the hea...
149 - Praise the Lord. Sing a new song to the Lord....
150 - Praise the Lord. Praise God in his holy templ...
Bible Version
Afghanistan
Dari Bible - DariB - 2007
Afrikaans
Die Bybel - AFR - 1953
Algerian
Awal N Tudert Adlis N Leqed Ajdid - 2001
Amharic - አማርኛ
አዳስ ሴዳን - ANT -2010
Ancient Greek - Ἑλληνική
Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 27 - 2007
Νέα Δημοτική Μετάφραση - NDM
Arabic - اللغة العربية
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Armenian - հայերեն
Հայերեն (արեւմտահայերեն) Նոր Կտակարան - ArmW - 1953
Bengali - বাংলা
Bengali Bible: Easy-to-Read - ERV-BN - 2006
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Burmese - ဗမာစာဗမာစာ
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和合本附经文滙篇 - CUVS - 1919
Chinese traditional - 中國傳統
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呂振中譯本 - LZZ - 1970
Croatian - Hrvatski
Biblija na hrvatskom - HRV - 1942
Cymraeg - Welsh
Y Beibl Cymraeg Newydd - BCN - 1988
Czech - Čeština
Bible kralická - BK - 1613
Český ekumenický překlad - ČEP - 1979
Danish - Dansk
Det Danske Bibel. De Hellige Skrifter - D31 - 1931
Dutch - Nederlandse
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English
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Contemporary English Version - CEV - 1995
Coverdale Bible - CVB - 1535
Darby Bible - DBY - 1890
Douay-Rheims Bible - DRB - 1609 - 1610
EasyEnglish Bible - EE - 2005
English Jubilee Bible - EJB - 2000
English Standard Version - ESV - 2011
Geneva Bible - GB - 1557
God s Word- GW- 1995
Good News Bible - GNB - 1976
Green s Literal Translation - LITV - 1993
Holman Christian Standard Bible - HCSB - 2004
Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version - ERV - 2005
Modern King James Version - MKJV - 1962
New American Standard Bible - NASB - 1971
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New Century Version - NCV - 1987
New English Translation with Full Notes - NET - 2205
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World English Bible - WEB - 1997
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Μετάφραση Σπύρου Φίλου - 1994
Νέα Ελληνικά βιβλία - NEB - 1901
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Q eqchi Bible - KEKB - 2000
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Gujarati New Testament: Easy-To-Read Version - ERV-gu - 2005
Haitian Creole - Kreyòl Ayisyen
Bib La - HCB - 1995
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पवित्र बाइबिल - ERV-hi - 2010
पवित्र बाइबिल - HBSI 2002
Hungarian - Magyar
Hungarian Károli - KB - 1964
Icelandic - íslenska
Íslenska Biblían - ICEB - 2015
Indonesian - Bahasa Indonesia
Bahasa Indonesia Sehari-hari - BISH - 1985
Terjemahan Baru - TB - 1974
Terjemahan Lama - TJL - 1954
Versi Mudah Dibaca - VMD - 2006
Italian - Italiana
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La Riveduta - RIV - 1990
Japanese - 日本語
口語訳聖書 - KOG - 1955
Kannada - ಕನ್ನಡ
Kannada KJV - KN-KJV
ಕ್ರೈಸ್ತರ ಧರ್ಮಗ್ರಂಥ - ERV-cn - 2007
ಕ್ರೈಸ್ತರ ಧರ್ಮಗ್ರಂಥ - KBSI
Khmer - ភាសាខ្មែរ
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성경 - KCB - 2005
아가페 쉬운 성경 - AEB - 1994
우리말사랑누리집 - Woor
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Latin - Latina
Biblia Sacra Vulgata - V - 405
Nova Vulgata - NVUL - 1979
Latvian - Latviešu valoda
Jaunā Derība - LJD - 1947
Lithuanian - Lietuvių kalba
Biblija (Šventasis Raštas) - KBB - 1999
Malagasy
Ny Baiboly Malagasy - MG - 1865
Malayalam - മലയാളം
Malayalam Bible - MBSI - 1956
Malayalam Bible: Easy to Read NT - ERV-ML - 2007
Maori - Māori
Maori Bible - MB - 1858
Marathi - मराठी
Marathi Bible: Easy to Read - ERV-mr - 1998
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Baibul - MizB
Nepali - नेपाली
Nepali Bible: Easy-to-Read Version - ERV-NE - 1914
Norwegian - Bokmål
Norsk Bibelen - DNB - 1930
Persian - فارسی
2007 - TPV - کتاب مقدس
کتاب مقدس 1896 - FB
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Cebuano Ang Biblia, Bugna Version - CEBU - 1917
Polish - Polszczyzna
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Portuguese - Português
João Ferreira de Almeida Atualizada - AA - 1959
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Paite Bible - 1971
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Romani
E Lashi Viasta - GPS - 1984
Russian - Русский язык
Библия. Синодальная - RST - 1876
Serbian - Српски
Biblija - SDK-L - 1866
Библија - SDK - 1865
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Svätá Biblia v preklade Jozefa Roháčka - RSB - 1936
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Somali - af Soomaali
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Spanish - Español
Reina-Valera - RV09 - 1909
Sagradas Escrituras. La Biblia del Oso - ESE - 1569
Swahili - Kiswahili
Swahili Union Version - SUV - 1997
Swedish - Svenska
Bibeln - S17 - 1917
Tagalog
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Ang Dating Biblia - ADB 1905
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திருவிவிலியம் - ERV-TA - 2005
திருவிவிலியம் - TBSI
Telugu - తెలుగు
New Testament Uma - Uma - 1996
పరిశుద్ధ గ్రంథము - ERV-TE - 2012
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Kutsal Kitap - TUR - 1994
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Kinh Thánh Tin Lành - VI 34 - 1934
Wolof
Téereb Injiil di Kàddug Yàlla - FL - 2004
Xhosa - isiXhosa
Xhosa Bible - XhB - 1859
עִבְרִית- Hebrew
Modern Hebrew Bible (Consonants) - MHB - 2010
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New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Psalm 82
1
A psalm of Asaph. God takes his place at the head of a large gathering of rulers and judges. He announces his decisions among them.
2
He says, "How long will you stand up for those who aren't fair to others? How long will you show favor to sinful people? Selah
3
Stand up for those who are weak and for those whose fathers have died. See to it that those who are poor and those who are beaten down are treated fairly.
4
Save the weak and those who are in need. Save them from the power of sinful people.
5
"You rulers and judges don't know anything. You don't understand anything. You are in the dark about what is right. Law and order have been destroyed all over the world.
6
"I said, 'Rulers and judges, you are "gods." You are all children of the Most High God.'
7
But you will die, just like everyone else. You will die like every other ruler."
8
God, rise up. Judge the earth. All of the nations belong to you.
Summary of Psalm 82
Psalm 82 is a short but powerful message about justice, leadership, human authority, and God's ultimate right to judge the world. Traditionally associated with Asaph, the psalm presents God as the supreme Judge who confronts those who have been given authority over others.
The chapter begins with God standing in the divine assembly and judging the rulers.
The central accusation is clear: these leaders have judged unjustly and shown favoritism toward wicked people.
Instead of protecting the powerful, they should have defended the vulnerable.
God specifically commands them to defend the poor, fatherless, weak, and needy.
This reveals an important biblical principle: the quality of leadership is measured partly by how it treats people who have little power to defend themselves.
The rulers have failed in this responsibility.
As a result, the foundations of society are being shaken.
The problem is not simply that individual people have been treated unfairly.
When those responsible for justice become corrupt, the entire social order becomes unstable.
The psalm then describes the rulers as "gods" and children of the Most High.
This language does not mean that they are literally divine beings equal to God.
Rather, it emphasizes the high authority they have been given.
They represent justice and exercise power over other people.
But the next verse immediately reminds them of their limitations.
They will die like everyone else.
Their authority does not make them immortal.
Their position does not place them above God's judgment.
The final verse therefore turns directly toward God.
The psalmist asks God Himself to rise and judge the nations because all nations ultimately belong to Him.
The chapter ends by reminding every ruler that human authority is temporary, while God's authority is absolute.
Psalm 82 ultimately teaches that positions of authority are responsibilities rather than privileges that place people above accountability, because the chapter presents God Himself confronting rulers who have used their authority without providing justice for the people under their care. The leaders have apparently been given significant power, but instead of defending the vulnerable, they have favored the wicked. God's criticism therefore goes directly to the heart of leadership: those who possess authority are expected to use it to protect people who cannot protect themselves. The poor, fatherless, weak, and needy are specifically mentioned because they are the people most easily ignored or exploited when systems of justice become corrupt.
The chapter presents injustice as a threat to the entire structure of society. When those responsible for making decisions and protecting people begin to favor the powerful, the problem does not remain limited to individual cases. The foundations of society itself begin to shake. This is why Psalm 82 is much more than a general statement about being kind to disadvantaged people. It is a direct challenge to those who possess institutional, political, judicial, or social authority. Their responsibility is not simply to maintain their position but to exercise their authority fairly and protect those who have little influence.
The description of the rulers as "gods" emphasizes the seriousness of their responsibility. They have been entrusted with authority that affects the lives of other people, so they are described using elevated language. Yet the psalm immediately destroys any possibility of pride by reminding them that they are still mortal. Their authority may be great, but it is temporary. Their position may make them powerful compared with other human beings, but it does not make them equal to God. They remain accountable to the One who gave them their authority in the first place.
This contrast between human authority and God's authority is one of the central ideas of the psalm. Human leaders may judge other people, but God ultimately judges the judges. Human rulers may make decisions affecting nations, communities, and individuals, but God remains above every earthly authority. This means that no ruler can legitimately claim unlimited power or assume that his or her decisions will never be examined. Even the most powerful people remain subject to God's standards of justice.
The final appeal for God to rise and judge the nations expands the message beyond Israel's immediate leadership. The entire world belongs to God, so justice ultimately extends beyond one nation or one group of rulers. The psalmist is asking the highest possible Judge to intervene because human systems of justice have failed. This gives the chapter both a warning and a source of hope. The warning is directed toward corrupt leaders who believe their authority protects them from accountability. The hope is directed toward those who suffer injustice and cannot obtain justice through human institutions, because God Himself remains capable of judging rightly.
Psalm 82 therefore presents a strong biblical vision of responsible leadership. Authority is never presented as permission to exploit weaker people. Instead, authority creates an obligation to defend them. Leaders are expected to protect the poor, fatherless, weak, and needy and to resist favoritism toward those who do wrong. The chapter also reminds everyone who possesses power that human life is temporary. No position lasts forever, and no earthly authority can escape God's judgment. The final message is therefore simple and powerful: human rulers may possess authority for a time, but God remains the ultimate Judge of every ruler, every nation, and every system of justice.
The chapter begins with God standing in the divine assembly and judging the rulers.
The central accusation is clear: these leaders have judged unjustly and shown favoritism toward wicked people.
Instead of protecting the powerful, they should have defended the vulnerable.
God specifically commands them to defend the poor, fatherless, weak, and needy.
This reveals an important biblical principle: the quality of leadership is measured partly by how it treats people who have little power to defend themselves.
The rulers have failed in this responsibility.
As a result, the foundations of society are being shaken.
The problem is not simply that individual people have been treated unfairly.
When those responsible for justice become corrupt, the entire social order becomes unstable.
The psalm then describes the rulers as "gods" and children of the Most High.
This language does not mean that they are literally divine beings equal to God.
Rather, it emphasizes the high authority they have been given.
They represent justice and exercise power over other people.
But the next verse immediately reminds them of their limitations.
They will die like everyone else.
Their authority does not make them immortal.
Their position does not place them above God's judgment.
The final verse therefore turns directly toward God.
The psalmist asks God Himself to rise and judge the nations because all nations ultimately belong to Him.
The chapter ends by reminding every ruler that human authority is temporary, while God's authority is absolute.
Psalm 82 ultimately teaches that positions of authority are responsibilities rather than privileges that place people above accountability, because the chapter presents God Himself confronting rulers who have used their authority without providing justice for the people under their care. The leaders have apparently been given significant power, but instead of defending the vulnerable, they have favored the wicked. God's criticism therefore goes directly to the heart of leadership: those who possess authority are expected to use it to protect people who cannot protect themselves. The poor, fatherless, weak, and needy are specifically mentioned because they are the people most easily ignored or exploited when systems of justice become corrupt.
The chapter presents injustice as a threat to the entire structure of society. When those responsible for making decisions and protecting people begin to favor the powerful, the problem does not remain limited to individual cases. The foundations of society itself begin to shake. This is why Psalm 82 is much more than a general statement about being kind to disadvantaged people. It is a direct challenge to those who possess institutional, political, judicial, or social authority. Their responsibility is not simply to maintain their position but to exercise their authority fairly and protect those who have little influence.
The description of the rulers as "gods" emphasizes the seriousness of their responsibility. They have been entrusted with authority that affects the lives of other people, so they are described using elevated language. Yet the psalm immediately destroys any possibility of pride by reminding them that they are still mortal. Their authority may be great, but it is temporary. Their position may make them powerful compared with other human beings, but it does not make them equal to God. They remain accountable to the One who gave them their authority in the first place.
This contrast between human authority and God's authority is one of the central ideas of the psalm. Human leaders may judge other people, but God ultimately judges the judges. Human rulers may make decisions affecting nations, communities, and individuals, but God remains above every earthly authority. This means that no ruler can legitimately claim unlimited power or assume that his or her decisions will never be examined. Even the most powerful people remain subject to God's standards of justice.
The final appeal for God to rise and judge the nations expands the message beyond Israel's immediate leadership. The entire world belongs to God, so justice ultimately extends beyond one nation or one group of rulers. The psalmist is asking the highest possible Judge to intervene because human systems of justice have failed. This gives the chapter both a warning and a source of hope. The warning is directed toward corrupt leaders who believe their authority protects them from accountability. The hope is directed toward those who suffer injustice and cannot obtain justice through human institutions, because God Himself remains capable of judging rightly.
Psalm 82 therefore presents a strong biblical vision of responsible leadership. Authority is never presented as permission to exploit weaker people. Instead, authority creates an obligation to defend them. Leaders are expected to protect the poor, fatherless, weak, and needy and to resist favoritism toward those who do wrong. The chapter also reminds everyone who possesses power that human life is temporary. No position lasts forever, and no earthly authority can escape God's judgment. The final message is therefore simple and powerful: human rulers may possess authority for a time, but God remains the ultimate Judge of every ruler, every nation, and every system of justice.