For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord really wants from you: He wants you to promote justice, to be faithful, and to live obediently before your God.

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

So Jesus replied to him, "Let it happen now, for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then John yielded to him.

For the kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

and to put on the new man who has been created in God's image -- in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth.

How blessed are those who promote justice, and do what is right all the time!

filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Now God who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your supply of seed and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

I will reestablish honest judges as in former times, wise advisers as in earlier days. Then you will be called, 'The Just City, Faithful Town.'"

Zion will be freed by justice, and her returnees by righteousness.

The Lord is exalted, indeed, he lives in heaven; he fills Zion with justice and fairness.

The Lord God of Israel who rules over all says, "I will restore the people of Judah to their land and to their towns. When I do, they will again say of Jerusalem, 'May the Lord bless you, you holy mountain, the place where righteousness dwells.'

All of your people will be godly; they will possess the land permanently. I will plant them like a shoot; they will be the product of my labor, through whom I reveal my splendor.

All the descendants of Israel will be vindicated by the Lord and will boast in him.

to strengthen those who mourn in Zion, by giving them a turban, instead of ashes, oil symbolizing joy, instead of mourning, a garment symbolizing praise, instead of discouragement. They will be called oaks of righteousness, trees planted by the Lord to reveal his splendor.

"For the sake of Zion I will not be silent; for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be quiet, until her vindication shines brightly and her deliverance burns like a torch."

Nations will see your vindication, and all kings your splendor. You will be called by a new name that the Lord himself will give you.

Open the gates so a righteous nation can enter -- one that remains trustworthy.

Justice will settle down in the desert and fairness will live in the orchard.

I will commit myself to you forever; I will commit myself to you in righteousness and justice, in steadfast love and tender compassion.

He restores my strength. He leads me down the right paths for the sake of his reputation.

Call to mind now: Who, being innocent, ever perished? And where were upright people ever destroyed?

(Mem) But it happened due to the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who poured out in her midst the blood of the righteous.

Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it.

And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.