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A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it;
    wherever he turns, he prospers.

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A bribe works wonders[a] in the eyes of its giver;
    wherever he turns he prospers.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:8 Lit. A gift is a stone of favor

23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret,
    to pervert the ways of justice.

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23 The wicked man takes a bribe in secret
    in order to pervert the course of justice.

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21 An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning,
    won’t be blessed in the end.

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21 An inheritance quickly obtained at the beginning
    will not be blessed at the end.

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To do righteousness and justice
    is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.

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To do what is right and just
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

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Getting treasures by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
The violence of the wicked will drive them away,
    because they refuse to do what is right.
The way of the guilty is devious,
    but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

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A fortune gained by deceit[a]
    is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.[b]

Devastation caused by the wicked will drag them away
    because they refuse to do what is just.

The conduct[c] of a guilty man is perverse,
    but the behavior of the pure is upright.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:6 Lit. by a lying tongue
  2. Proverbs 21:6 So MT; LXX reads is pursuing worthlessness into deadly snares
  3. Proverbs 21:8 Lit. way

22 Don’t exploit the poor, because he is poor;
    and don’t crush the needy in court;
23 for Yahweh will plead their case,
    and plunder the life of those who plunder them.

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22 Don’t rob the poor person because he is poor,
    and don’t crush the helpless in court,[a]
23 for the Lord will plead their case
    and ruin the lives of those who ruin them.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:22 Lit. gate

23 These also are sayings of the wise.

To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
    peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—
25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
    and a rich blessing will come on them.
26 An honest answer
    is like a kiss on the lips.

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Sayings of the Wise

23 Here are some more proverbs from wise people:

It isn’t good to show partiality in judgment.
24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You’re in the right,”
        will be cursed by people and hated by nations.
25 But as for people who rebuke the wicked;[a]
    a good blessing will fall upon them.

26 A kiss on the lips—
    that’s what someone who gives an honest answer deserves.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:25 The Heb. lacks the wicked
  2. Proverbs 24:26 The Heb. lacks deserves

A needy man who oppresses the poor
    is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.

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A poor man who oppresses the weak
    is like a rainstorm that destroys all[a] the crops.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Lit. that leaves no

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity,
    than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.

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It’s better to be poor and live a blameless life
    than to be rich but crooked in one’s lifestyle.

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He who increases his wealth by excessive interest
    gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.

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Whoever gains wealth by charging exorbitant[a] interest
    collects it for someone who is kind to the poor.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:8 Lit. charging interest upon

Open your mouth for the mute,
    in the cause of all who are left desolate.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
    and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

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Speak for those who cannot speak;
    seek justice for all those on the verge of destruction.[a]
Speak up, judge righteously,
    and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:8 Lit. all sons of destruction