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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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

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.

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Footnotes

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

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 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.

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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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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.

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

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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 honest
    than to be dishonest and 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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Income from charging high interest rates
    will end up in the pocket of someone 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

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
    ensure justice for those being crushed.
Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
    and see that they get justice.

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