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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 is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;
    they think success will come at every turn.(A)

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

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23 The wicked accept bribes(A) in secret
    to pervert the course of justice.(B)

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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 claimed too soon
    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.(A)

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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 made by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.[a](A)

The violence of the wicked will drag them away,(B)
    for they refuse to do what is right.

The way of the guilty is devious,(C)
    but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death

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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Saying 2

22 Do not exploit the poor(A) because they are poor
    and do not crush the needy in court,(B)
23 for the Lord will take up their case(C)
    and will exact life for life.(D)

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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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Further Sayings of the Wise

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

To show partiality(B) in judging is not good:(C)
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,”(D)
    will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.
25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
    and rich blessing will come on them.

26 An honest answer
    is like a kiss on the lips.

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

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A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor
    is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person

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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Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than the rich whose ways are perverse.(A)

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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 increases wealth by taking interest(A) or profit from the poor
    amasses it for another,(B) who will be kind to the poor.(C)

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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(A) up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
    for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
    defend the rights of the poor and needy.(B)

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