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A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it;
    wherever he turns, he prospers.

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A bribe seems magical in the eyes of those who give it,
    granting success to all who use it.

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23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret,
    to pervert the ways of justice.

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23 The wicked take secret bribes
    to twist the way of justice.

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21 An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning,
    won’t be blessed in the end.

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21 Inheritance gained quickly at first
    won’t bless later on.

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

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Acting with righteousness and justice
    is more valued by the Lord than sacrifice.

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Getting treasures by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
The violence of the wicked will drive them away,
    because they refuse to do what is right.
The way of the guilty is devious,
    but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

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Those who gain treasure with lies
    are like a drifting fog, leading to death.
The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
    for they refuse to act with justice.
The ways of some people are twisted and strange,
    but the behavior of those who do right is pure.

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22 Don’t exploit the poor, because he is poor;
    and don’t crush the needy in court;
23 for Yahweh will plead their case,
    and plunder the life of those who plunder them.

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22 Don’t steal from the poor, because they are poor.
    Don’t oppress the needy in the gate.
23 The Lord will take up their case
    and press the life out of those who oppress them.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:23 Heb uncertain

23 These also are sayings of the wise.

To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
    peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—
25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
    and a rich blessing will come on them.
26 An honest answer
    is like a kiss on the lips.

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More sayings of the wise

23 These are also the sayings of the wise:

Partiality in judgment isn’t good.

24 Those who say to the guilty, “You are innocent”—
    the people will curse them.
    Nations will condemn them.
25 But it will go well for those who rebuke them.
    A rich blessing will come to them.
26 Those who speak honestly
    are like those who kiss on the lips.

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A needy man who oppresses the poor
    is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.

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Poor people who oppress the needy
    are rain that washes away food.

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Better is the poor who walks in his integrity,
    than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.

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Better to be poor and walk in innocence
    than to be on crooked paths and wealthy.

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He who increases his wealth by excessive interest
    gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.

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Those who become rich through high interest rates
    gather money for those who are generous to the poor.

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Open your mouth for the mute,
    in the cause of all who are left desolate.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
    and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

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Speak out on behalf of the voiceless,
    and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.[a]
Speak out in order to judge with righteousness
    and to defend the needy and the poor.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:8 Or all children who are passing away