Righteous, the

The designation, especially in the OT, of those who live and act in accordance with God's commands.

Characteristics of the righteous

Proverbs 20:7 See also Psalm 37:21; Proverbs 10:11, Proverbs 10:20–21, Proverbs 10:31–32, Proverbs 12:5, Proverbs 13:5, Proverbs 15:28, Proverbs 21:25–26, Proverbs 29:7, Proverbs 29:27; Matthew 25:31–40

The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.

God's dealings with the righteous

He loves them

Psalm 146:8 See also Genesis 18:20–32

the LORD opens the eyes of the blind, the LORD lifts those who are weighed down, the LORD loves the righteous.

He protects them

Proverbs 18:10 See also Psalm 1:5–6, Psalm 37:16–17, Psalm 37:39, Psalm 55:22; Proverbs 10:29, Proverbs 11:8, Proverbs 12:21

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

He provides for them

Proverbs 10:3 See also Psalm 37:25; Proverbs 13:25

The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but He denies the craving of the wicked.

He blesses them

Psalm 5:12 See also Job 36:7; Proverbs 3:33, Proverbs 10:6–7

For surely You, O LORD, bless the righteous; You surround them with the shield of Your favor.

He hears their petitions

1 Peter 3:12 See also Psalm 34:17; Proverbs 15:29

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

The faith of the righteous

Habakkuk 2:4 See also Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38

Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright — but the righteous will live by faith —

The righteous are secure

Proverbs 12:3 See also Proverbs 10:30, Proverbs 11:28, Proverbs 12:7, Proverbs 28:1

A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

The righteous can be corrupted

Ezekiel 18:24 See also Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19; Psalm 125:3; Ezekiel 3:20, Ezekiel 33:12–13

But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die.

The oppression of the righteous

Psalm 37:12–13 See also Psalm 31:17–18, Psalm 94:21; Lamentations 4:11–13; Amos 2:6–7, Amos 5:12; Habakkuk 1:4

The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them, but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming.

The equality, in human terms, of the righteous and the wicked

Matthew 5:45 See also Ecclesiastes 8:12–14, Ecclesiastes 9:1–2

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

The reward of the righteous

Proverbs 10:16 See also Psalm 37:29, Psalm 58:10–11, Psalm 92:12–15; Proverbs 10:6–7, Proverbs 10:28, Proverbs 11:23, Proverbs 11:30–31, Proverbs 13:21–22, Proverbs 15:6; Isaiah 3:10

The labor of the righteous leads to life, but the gain of the wicked brings punishment.

The death of the righteous

Isaiah 57:1 See also Psalm 116:15; Proverbs 14:32

The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous are taken away from the presence of evil.

The hope of the righteous

Luke 14:12–14 See also Psalm 17:14–15; Proverbs 14:32; Malachi 3:17–18; Acts 24:14–16

Then Jesus said to the man who had invited Him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid. But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”