taking people to court

¹How is it that anyone of you, having a dispute against another, would dare to be judged before the iniquitous, and not before the saints? ²Or do you not know that the saints from this age shall judge it? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you unworthy, then, to judge even the smallest matters? ³Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more the things of this age? ⁴Therefore, if you have matters to judge concerning this age, why not appoint those who are most contemptible in the Church to judge these things! ⁵But I am speaking so as to shame you. Is there no one among you wise enough, so that he might be able to judge between his brothers? ⁶Instead, brother contends against brother in court, and this before the unfaithful!

²⁵Be reconciled with your adversary quickly, while you are still on the way with him, lest perhaps the adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you will be thrown in prison.

³⁰But distribute to all who ask of you. And do not ask again of him who takes away what is yours.

⁸But if anyone has no concern for his own, and especially for those of his own household, he has denied the faith, and he is worse than an unbeliever.

¹⁹Do not defend yourselves, dearest ones. Instead, step aside from wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is mine. I shall give retribution, says the Lord.”

⁷When the ways of man will please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.

¹⁵But if your brother has sinned against you, go and correct him, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you will have regained your brother. ¹⁶But if he will not listen you, invite with you one or two more, so that every word may stand by the mouth of two or three witnesses. ¹⁷And if he will not listen to them, tell the Church. But if he will not listen to the Church, let him be to you like the pagan and the tax collector.

¹¹And when they will lead you to the synagogues, and to magistrates and authorities, do not choose to be worried about how or what you will answer, or about what you might say. ¹²For the Holy Spirit will teach you, in the same hour, what you must say.” ¹³And someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” ¹⁴But he said to him, “Man, who has appointed me as judge or arbitrator over you?” ¹⁵So he said to them: “Be cautious and wary of all avarice. For a person’s life is not found in the abundance of the things that he possesses.” ¹⁶Then he spoke to them using a comparison, saying: “The fertile land of a certain wealthy man produced crops.

⁴For he is a minister of God for you unto good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid. For it is not without reason that he carries a sword. For he is a minister of God; an avenger to execute wrath upon whomever does evil.

¹⁶And I instructed them, saying: ‘Listen to them, and judge what is just, whether he is one of your citizens or a sojourner. ¹⁷There shall be no favoritism to any persons. So you shall listen to the little as well as to the great. And you shall not accept anyone’s reputation, for this is the judgment of God. But if anything seems difficult to you, then refer it to me, and I will hear it.’

¹³I know that the Lord will accomplish justice for the needy and vindication for the poor.

¹When Jesus had said these things, he departed with his disciples across the Torrent of Kidron, where there was a garden, into which he entered with his disciples. ²But Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus had frequently met with his disciples there. ³Then Judas, when he had received a cohort from both the high priests and the attendants of the Pharisees, approached the place with lanterns and torches and weapons. ⁴And so Jesus, knowing all that was about to happen to him, advanced and said to them, “Who are you seeking?” ⁵They answered him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Now Judas, who betrayed him, was also standing with them. ⁶Then, when he said to them, “I am he,” they moved back and fell to the ground.