One of Scripture’s plain teachings is the believers’ duty to care for those who are poor, disadvantaged, marginalized, and oppressed. Our prophetic voice means that we not only paint a canvas of future events, but also keep an eye on current issues that affect those who live in our communities. Our voice for those who have no voice demonstrates our connection with the One who is just and saving too (Zech. 9:9).—Editors.

“The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love” (Ps. 33:5).

“The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern” (Prov. 29:7).

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth” (Isa. 42:1-4).

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I”
(Isa. 58:6-9).

“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow” (Isa. 1:17).

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isa. 30:18).

“Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice” (Ps. 112:5).

“I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy” (Ps. 140:12).

“Let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24).

“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them” (Matt. 23:2-4).

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former” (Matt. 23:23).

“Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:7, 8).

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27).

“This is what the Lord says:
‘Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,’
declares the Lord” (Jer. 9:23, 24).