§ 1 The text
NASB
Deuteronomy 16:20, NASB“Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”
“Some justice now (with exceptions) is better than no justice; we will pursue full justice later.”
§ 2 The argument
The command is emphatic and exclusive: 'justice, and only justice.' It forbids a mixed policy in which injustice is written into the law as a means to a just end. 'Justice later' or 'partial justice now' is not what is commanded; the object of pursuit is justice itself, not incremental steps that legalize some injustice along the way.
§ 3 Context & notes
The thematic backbone of the abolitionist case and the most-cited verse across the talks. The doubling ('justice, and only justice' / Heb. tsedeq tsedeq) is read as an intensifier excluding compromise. The tie to possessing the land frames national blessing and judgment as hinging on doing justice.
§ 4 Themes
justice only no compromise national blessing abolition mandate means and ends
§ 5 Discussion questions
- The verse says 'justice, and ONLY justice.' Does a bill that legalizes some abortion while banning others qualify as pursuing 'only justice'?
- What is the object we are commanded to pursue — incremental steps, or justice itself?
- If pursuing justice is tied to possessing the land, what does refusing justice invite?