11 Rescue those being taken off to death,
and save those stumbling toward slaughter.(A)
12 If you say, “But we didn’t know about this,”
won’t He who weighs hearts(B) consider it?
Won’t He who protects your life(C) know?
Won’t He repay a person according to his work?(D)

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11 Rescue those being taken off to death;
    and from those staggering to the slaughter, don’t hold back.
12 If you say, “Look, we didn’t know about it,”
    the one who weighs hearts—doesn’t he understand?
    The one who protects your life—he knows.
    He makes people pay for their actions.

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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

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

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27 The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away[a]
will receive many curses.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:27 Lit who shuts his eyes

27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,
    but those who turn a blind eye will be greatly cursed.

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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

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