11 Rescue those being taken off to death,
and save those stumbling toward slaughter.(A)
12 If you say, “But we didn’t know about this,”
won’t he who weighs hearts(B) consider it?
Won’t he who protects your life(C) know?
Won’t he repay a person according to his work?(D)

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11 (A)Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
    hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
    (B)does not he who (C)weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who (D)keeps watch over your soul know it,
    and will he not repay man (E)according to his work?

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A destitute leader[a] who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no food.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 28:3 LXX reads A wicked man

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

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27 The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away[a]
will receive many curses.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 28:27 Lit who shuts his eyes

27 Whoever (A)gives to the poor will not want,
    but he who (B)hides his eyes will get many a curse.

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Speak up[a] for those who have no voice,[b](A)
for the justice of all who are dispossessed.[c]
Speak up, judge righteously,(B)
and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 31:8 Lit Open your mouth, also in v. 9
  2. 31:8 Lit who are mute
  3. 31:8 Lit all the sons of passing away

(A)Open your mouth for the mute,
    for the rights of all who are destitute.[a]
Open your mouth, (B)judge righteously,
    (C)defend the rights of (D)the poor and needy.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:8 Hebrew are sons of passing away