A bribe(A) seems like a magic stone to its owner;
wherever he turns, he succeeds.(B)

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The bribe is a stone of magic in the eyes of its owner;[a]
    everywhere[b] he will turn, he will prosper.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:8 Or “master”
  2. Proverbs 17:8 Literally “to all which”

23 A wicked person secretly takes a bribe(A)
to subvert the course of justice.(B)

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23 The wicked will accept a bribe from the lap,
    in order to pervert the ways of justice.

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21 An inheritance gained prematurely
will not be blessed ultimately.(A)

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21 An inheritance acquired hastily at the beginning[a]
    will not be blessed at its end.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:21 Literally “at the first”

Doing what is righteous and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(A)

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Doing righteousness and justice is more acceptable
    to Yahweh than sacrifice.

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Making a fortune through a lying tongue
is a vanishing mist,[a] a pursuit of death.[b][c](A)

The violence of the wicked sweeps them away
because they refuse to act justly.

A guilty one’s conduct is crooked,(B)
but the behavior of the innocent is upright.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 21:6 Or a breath blown away
  2. 21:6 Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg read a snare of death
  3. 21:6 Lit is vanity, ones seeking death

He who makes treasure by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor and seeker[a] of death.
The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
    for they refuse to do justice.
Crooked is the way of a man and a foreigner,
    but the pure is upright in his conduct.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:6 Hebrew “seekers”

22 Don’t rob a poor person because he is poor,
and don’t crush the oppressed(A) at the city gate,(B)
23 for the Lord will champion their cause(C)
and will plunder those who plunder them.

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22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor,
    and do not crush the afflicted at the gate;
23 For Yahweh will plead their case
    and despoil those who despoil them of life.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:23 Or “soul,” or “inner self”

23 These sayings also belong to the wise:(A)
It is not good to show partiality in judgment.(B)
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent”(C)
peoples will curse him,(D) and nations will denounce him;
25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
and a generous blessing will come to them.

26 He who gives an honest answer
gives a kiss on the lips.

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23 These sayings are also for the wise:
    Partiality[a] in judgment is not good.
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are righteous,” the people will curse him;
    the nations will abhor him.
25 But they who rebuke will have delight,
    and upon them blessings of goodness will come.
26 He will kiss the lips,
    he who gives an honest answer.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:23 Literally “acknowledge faces”

A destitute leader[a] who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no food.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 28:3 LXX reads A wicked man

A man who is poor and oppresses the impoverished
    is a beating rain that leaves[a] no food.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Literally “and there is”

Better the poor person who lives with integrity(A)
than the rich one who distorts right and wrong.[a](B)

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Footnotes

  1. 28:6 Lit who twists two ways

Better to be poor and walking in one’s integrity
    than to be crooked of ways when one is rich.

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Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest(A)
collects it for one who is kind to the poor.(B)

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He who augments his wealth with interest and with usury
    gathers it for him who is kind to the poor.

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Speak up[a] for those who have no voice,[b](A)
for the justice of all who are dispossessed.[c]
Speak up, judge righteously,(B)
and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 31:8 Lit Open your mouth, also in v. 9
  2. 31:8 Lit who are mute
  3. 31:8 Lit all the sons of passing away

Open your mouth for the mute,
    for the rights[a] of all the needy.[b]
Open your mouth, judge righteousness,
    and defend the poor and needy.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:8 Hebrew “right”
  2. Proverbs 31:8 Literally “the sons of the needy”