Add parallel Print Page Options

A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it;
    wherever he turns, he prospers.

Read full chapter

A bribe is like a lucky charm;
    whoever gives one will prosper!

Read full chapter

A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;
    they think success will come at every turn.(A)

Read full chapter

23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret,
    to pervert the ways of justice.

Read full chapter

23 The wicked take secret bribes
    to pervert the course of justice.

Read full chapter

23 The wicked accept bribes(A) in secret
    to pervert the course of justice.(B)

Read full chapter

21 An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning,
    won’t be blessed in the end.

Read full chapter

21 An inheritance obtained too early in life
    is not a blessing in the end.

Read full chapter

21 An inheritance claimed too soon
    will not be blessed at the end.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just
    than when we offer him sacrifices.

Read full chapter

To do what is right and just
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(A)

Read full chapter

Getting treasures by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
The violence of the wicked will drive them away,
    because they refuse to do what is right.
The way of the guilty is devious,
    but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

Read full chapter

Wealth created by a lying tongue
    is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.[a]

The violence of the wicked sweeps them away,
    because they refuse to do what is just.

The guilty walk a crooked path;
    the innocent travel a straight road.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 21:6 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads mist for those who seek death.

A fortune made by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.[a](A)

The violence of the wicked will drag them away,(B)
    for they refuse to do what is right.

The way of the guilty is devious,(C)
    but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death

22 Don’t exploit the poor, because he is poor;
    and don’t crush the needy in court;
23 for Yahweh will plead their case,
    and plunder the life of those who plunder them.

Read full chapter

22 Don’t rob the poor just because you can,
    or exploit the needy in court.
23 For the Lord is their defender.
    He will ruin anyone who ruins them.

Read full chapter

Saying 2

22 Do not exploit the poor(A) because they are poor
    and do not crush the needy in court,(B)
23 for the Lord will take up their case(C)
    and will exact life for life.(D)

Read full chapter

23 These also are sayings of the wise.

To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
    peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—
25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
    and a rich blessing will come on them.
26 An honest answer
    is like a kiss on the lips.

Read full chapter

More Sayings of the Wise

23 Here are some further sayings of the wise:

It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.
24 A judge who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”
    will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations.
25 But it will go well for those who convict the guilty;
    rich blessings will be showered on them.

26 An honest answer
    is like a kiss of friendship.

Read full chapter

Further Sayings of the Wise

23 These also are sayings of the wise:(A)

To show partiality(B) in judging is not good:(C)
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,”(D)
    will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.
25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
    and rich blessing will come on them.

26 An honest answer
    is like a kiss on the lips.

Read full chapter

A needy man who oppresses the poor
    is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.

Read full chapter

A poor person who oppresses the poor
    is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.

Read full chapter

A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor
    is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity,
    than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.

Read full chapter

Better to be poor and honest
    than to be dishonest and rich.

Read full chapter

Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than the rich whose ways are perverse.(A)

Read full chapter