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A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of those who give it;
    wherever they turn they prosper.(A)

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A bribe works like a charm for the person who gives it.
Wherever he turns, he prospers.

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23 The wicked accept a concealed bribe
    to pervert the ways of justice.(A)

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23 A wicked person secretly accepts a bribe
to pervert the ways of justice.

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21 An estate quickly acquired in the beginning
    will not be blessed in the end.(A)

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21 An inheritance easily obtained[a] in the beginning
    will not be blessed in the end.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:21 The translation easily obtained is an alternate Hebrew reading. The main Hebrew reading is gotten by greed.

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

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Practicing righteousness and justice
    is more acceptable to the Lord than a sacrifice.

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

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Footnotes

  1. 21.6 Gk: Heb seekers

Piling up treasure by a lying tongue
    is a vanishing vapor for those who seek death.
The violence of the wicked will drag them away,
because they refuse to do what is just.
A guilty person’s way is very crooked,
but the conduct of a pure person is straight.

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22 Do not rob the poor because they are poor
    or crush the afflicted at the gate,(A)
23 for the Lord pleads their cause
    and despoils of life those who despoil them.(B)

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22 Do not rob a poor person because he is poor,
and do not crush an oppressed person in court,[a]
23 because the Lord will defend their cause,
and he will rob those who rob them of their lives.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:22 Literally in the city gate

Further Sayings of the Wise

23     These also are sayings of the wise:

Partiality in judging is not good.(A)
24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”
    will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,(B)
25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
    and a good blessing will come upon them.(C)
26 One who gives an honest answer
    gives a kiss on the lips.

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More Words of the Wise

23 These sayings also are by the wise:
To show partiality when administering justice is not good.
24 If anyone says to a guilty person, “You are innocent,”
people will curse him. Nations will denounce him.
25 However, it will be pleasant for those who convict the guilty.
A wonderful blessing will come upon them.

26 Someone who gives a straight answer gives a kiss on the lips.

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A poor person who oppresses the poor
    is a beating rain that leaves no food.(A)

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A poor man who oppresses the poor
    is a driving rain that leaves no food.

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Better to be poor and walk in integrity
    than to be crooked in one’s ways even though rich.(A)

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Better a poor person who walks in his integrity
    than a rich person who is hypocritical.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:6 Or twisted in his two ways

One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest
    gathers it for another who is kind to the poor.(A)

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A person who increases his wealth by piling up interest
    gathers it for someone who is generous to the needy.

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Speak out for those who cannot speak,
    for the rights of all the destitute.[a](A)
Speak out; judge righteously;
    defend the rights of the poor and needy.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 31.8 Heb all children of passing away

Speak up for those who cannot speak.
Speak for the rights of all those who are defenseless.
Speak up, judge fairly,
and defend the oppressed and needy.

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