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The bribe is a stone of magic in the eyes of its owner;[a]
    everywhere[b] he will turn, he will prosper.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:8 Or “master”
  2. Proverbs 17:8 Literally “to all which”

A bribe works wonders[a] in the eyes of its giver;
    wherever he turns he prospers.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:8 Lit. A gift is a stone of favor

23 The wicked will accept a bribe from the lap,
    in order to pervert the ways of justice.

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23 The wicked man takes a bribe in secret
    in order to pervert the course of justice.

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21 An inheritance acquired hastily at the beginning[a]
    will not be blessed at its end.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:21 Literally “at the first”

21 An inheritance quickly obtained at the beginning
    will not be blessed at the end.

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Doing righteousness and justice is more acceptable
    to Yahweh than sacrifice.

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To do what is right and just
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

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He who makes treasure by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor and seeker[a] of death.
The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
    for they refuse to do justice.
Crooked is the way of a man and a foreigner,
    but the pure is upright in his conduct.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:6 Hebrew “seekers”

A fortune gained by deceit[a]
    is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.[b]

Devastation caused by the wicked will drag them away
    because they refuse to do what is just.

The conduct[c] of a guilty man is perverse,
    but the behavior of the pure is upright.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:6 Lit. by a lying tongue
  2. Proverbs 21:6 So MT; LXX reads is pursuing worthlessness into deadly snares
  3. Proverbs 21:8 Lit. way

22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor,
    and do not crush the afflicted at the gate;
23 For Yahweh will plead their case
    and despoil those who despoil them of life.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:23 Or “soul,” or “inner self”

22 Don’t rob the poor person because he is poor,
    and don’t crush the helpless in court,[a]
23 for the Lord will plead their case
    and ruin the lives of those who ruin them.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:22 Lit. gate

23 These sayings are also for the wise:
    Partiality[a] in judgment is not good.
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are righteous,” the people will curse him;
    the nations will abhor him.
25 But they who rebuke will have delight,
    and upon them blessings of goodness will come.
26 He will kiss the lips,
    he who gives an honest answer.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:23 Literally “acknowledge faces”

Sayings of the Wise

23 Here are some more proverbs from wise people:

It isn’t good to show partiality in judgment.
24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You’re in the right,”
        will be cursed by people and hated by nations.
25 But as for people who rebuke the wicked;[a]
    a good blessing will fall upon them.

26 A kiss on the lips—
    that’s what someone who gives an honest answer deserves.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:25 The Heb. lacks the wicked
  2. Proverbs 24:26 The Heb. lacks deserves

A man who is poor and oppresses the impoverished
    is a beating rain that leaves[a] no food.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Literally “and there is”

A poor man who oppresses the weak
    is like a rainstorm that destroys all[a] the crops.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Lit. that leaves no

Better to be poor and walking in one’s integrity
    than to be crooked of ways when one is rich.

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It’s better to be poor and live a blameless life
    than to be rich but crooked in one’s lifestyle.

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

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Whoever gains wealth by charging exorbitant[a] interest
    collects it for someone who is kind to the poor.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:8 Lit. charging interest upon

Open your mouth for the mute,
    for the rights[a] of all the needy.[b]
Open your mouth, judge righteousness,
    and defend the poor and needy.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:8 Hebrew “right”
  2. Proverbs 31:8 Literally “the sons of the needy”

Speak for those who cannot speak;
    seek justice for all those on the verge of destruction.[a]
Speak up, judge righteously,
    and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:8 Lit. all sons of destruction