(A)A bribe is like a magic[a] stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;
    wherever he turns he prospers.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:8 Or precious

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 The wicked accepts (A)a bribe in secret[a]
    to (B)pervert the ways of justice.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:23 Hebrew a bribe from the bosom

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

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21 (A)An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning
    will not be blessed in the end.

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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”

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

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

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(A)The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
    is a (B)fleeting (C)vapor and a (D)snare of death.[a]
The violence of the wicked will (E)sweep them away,
    because they refuse to do what is just.
The way of the guilty (F)is crooked,
    but the conduct of the pure is upright.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Latin; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek 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 (A)Do not rob the poor, because he is poor,
    or (B)crush the afflicted at (C)the gate,
23 for (D)the Lord will plead their cause
    and rob of life those who rob 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”

More Sayings of the Wise

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

(B)Partiality in judging is not good.
24 Whoever (C)says to the wicked, “You are in the right,”
    (D)will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
    and a good blessing will come upon them.
26 Whoever gives an honest answer
    kisses 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)A poor man who oppresses the poor
    is a beating rain that leaves no food.

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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”

(A)Better is a poor man who (B)walks in his integrity
    than a rich man who is (C)crooked in his ways.

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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 multiplies his wealth (A)by interest and profit[a]
    (B)gathers it for him who is (C)generous to the poor.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor

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

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(A)Open your mouth for the mute,
    for the rights of all who are destitute.[a]
Open your mouth, (B)judge righteously,
    (C)defend the rights of (D)the poor and needy.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:8 Hebrew are 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”