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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 magic stone in the eyes of those who give it;
    wherever they turn they prosper.(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 a concealed bribe
    to pervert the ways of justice.(A)

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

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

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To do righteousness and justice
    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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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

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 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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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:

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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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 a beating rain that leaves no food.(A)

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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 walk in integrity
    than to be crooked in one’s ways even though rich.(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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One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest
    gathers it for another who is kind to the poor.(A)

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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 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