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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 like a lucky charm;
    whoever gives one will prosper!

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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 take secret bribes
    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 obtained too early in life
    is not a blessing in the end.

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

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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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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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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.

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

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

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

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

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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 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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