(A)A bribe is like a magic[a] stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;
    wherever he turns he prospers.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:8 Or precious

A bribe(A) seems like a magic stone to its owner;
wherever he turns, he succeeds.(B)

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23 The wicked accepts (A)a bribe in secret[a]
    to (B)pervert the ways of justice.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:23 Hebrew a bribe from the bosom

23 A wicked man secretly takes a bribe(A)
to subvert the course of justice.(B)

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21 (A)An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning
    will not be blessed in the end.

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21 An inheritance gained prematurely
will not be blessed ultimately.(A)

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(A)To do righteousness and justice
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

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Doing what is righteous and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(A)

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(A)The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
    is a (B)fleeting (C)vapor and a (D)snare of death.[a]
The violence of the wicked will (E)sweep them away,
    because they refuse to do what is just.
The way of the guilty (F)is crooked,
    but the conduct of the pure is upright.

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Footnotes

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

Making a fortune through a lying tongue
is a vanishing mist,[a] a pursuit of death.[b][c](A)

The violence of the wicked sweeps them away
because they refuse to act justly.

A guilty man’s conduct is crooked,(B)
but the behavior of the innocent is upright.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:6 Or a breath blown away
  2. Proverbs 21:6 Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg read a snare of death
  3. Proverbs 21:6 Lit is vanity, ones seeking death

22 (A)Do not rob the poor, because he is poor,
    or (B)crush the afflicted at (C)the gate,
23 for (D)the Lord will plead their cause
    and rob of life those who rob them.

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22 Don’t rob a poor man because he is poor,
and don’t crush the oppressed(A) at the gate,(B)
23 for the Lord will take up their case(C)
and will plunder those who plunder them.

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More Sayings of the Wise

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

(B)Partiality in judging is not good.
24 Whoever (C)says to the wicked, “You are in the right,”
    (D)will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
    and a good blessing will come upon them.
26 Whoever gives an honest answer
    kisses the lips.

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23 These sayings also belong to the wise:(A)

It is not good to show partiality in judgment.(B)
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent”(C)
people will curse him,(D) and tribes will denounce him;
25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
and a generous blessing will come to them.

26 He who gives an honest answer
gives a kiss on the lips.

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

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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. Proverbs 28:3 LXX reads A wicked man

(A)Better is a poor man who (B)walks in his integrity
    than a rich man who is (C)crooked in his ways.

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Better a poor man who lives with integrity(A)
than a rich man who distorts right and wrong.[a](B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:6 Lit who twists two ways

Whoever multiplies his wealth (A)by interest and profit[a]
    (B)gathers it for him who is (C)generous to the poor.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor

Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest(A)
collects it for one who is kind to the poor.(B)

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(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

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

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:8 Lit Open your mouth
  2. Proverbs 31:8 Lit who are mute
  3. Proverbs 31:8 Lit all the sons of passing away
  4. Proverbs 31:9 Lit Open your mouth
  5. Proverbs 31:9 Lit and justice for