Add parallel Print Page Options

A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of those who give it;
    wherever they turn they prosper.(A)

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

23 The wicked accept a concealed bribe
    to pervert the ways of justice.(A)

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 21.6 Gk: Heb seekers

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)

Read full chapter

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 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)

Read full chapter

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.

Read full chapter

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.

Read full chapter

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.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 LXX reads A wicked man

Better to be poor and walk in integrity
    than to be crooked in one’s ways even though rich.(A)

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:6 Lit who twists two ways

One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest
    gathers it for another who is kind to the poor.(A)

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 31.8 Heb all children 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)

Read full chapter

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