(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 is like a magic stone in the eyes of him who gives it;
    wherever he turns he prospers.

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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 accepts a bribe from the bosom
    to pervert the ways of justice.

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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 gotten hastily in the beginning
    will in the end not be blessed.

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

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

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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

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
    because they refuse to do what is just.
The way of the guilty is crooked,
    but the conduct of the pure is right.

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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 Do not rob the poor, because he is poor,
    or crush the afflicted at the gate;
23 for the Lord will plead their cause
    and despoil of life those who despoil 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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Further Sayings of the Wise

23 These also are sayings of the wise.

Partiality in judging is not good.
24 He who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”
    will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations;
25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
    and a good blessing will be upon them.
26 He who gives a right answer
    kisses 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 poor man who oppresses the poor
    is a beating rain that leaves no food.

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(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 is a poor man who walks in his integrity
    than a rich man who is perverse in his ways.

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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

He who augments his wealth by interest and increase
    gathers it for him who is kind to the poor.

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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

Open your mouth for the dumb,
    for the rights of all who are left desolate.[a]
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
    maintain the rights of the poor and needy.

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Footnotes

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