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

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A (A)bribe is a [a]charm in the eyes of its owner;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:8 Lit stone of grace

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

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23 A wicked man receives a (A)bribe from the bosom
To (B)thrust aside the paths of justice.

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

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21 An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning
In the end will not be blessed.

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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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To do (A)righteousness and justice
Is chosen by Yahweh over sacrifice.

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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.

(A)Working for treasures by a lying tongue
Is a fleeting breath, by those who pursue (B)death.
The destruction of the wicked will drag them away,
Because they (C)refuse to do justice.
The way of a guilty man is (D)perverse,
But as for the pure, his work is upright.

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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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22 (A)Do not rob the poor because he is poor,
And do not (B)crush the afflicted at the gate;
23 For Yahweh will (C)plead their case
And rob the soul of those who rob them.

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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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23 These also are (A)sayings of the wise.
To [a](B)show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 He (C)who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
(D)Peoples will curse him, nations will be indignant with him;
25 But (E)to those who reprove the wicked, it will be pleasant,
And a good blessing will come upon them.
26 He kisses the lips
Who responds with right words.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:23 Lit recognize a face

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

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A (A)poor man who oppresses the lowly
Is a driving rain [a]which leaves no food.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Lit and there is no bread

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

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(A)Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than he who is crooked—[a]double dealing—though he be rich.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:6 Lit two ways

Income from charging high interest rates
    will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

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He who increases his wealth by (A)interest and usury
Gathers it (B)for him who is gracious to the lowly.

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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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(A)Open your mouth for the mute,
For the justice of all those [a]passing away.
Open your mouth, (B)judge righteously,
And render (C)justice to the afflicted and needy.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:8 Lit sons of passing away