Proverbs 17:23 “A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.”

Proverbs 17:23

A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

World English Bible

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

American Standard Version

A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.

Geneva Bible 1599

A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome to wrest the wayes of iudgement.

Darby Translation

A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.

Young's Literal Translation

A bribe from the bosom the wicked taketh, To turn aside the paths of judgment.

Bible in Basic English

A sinner takes an offering out of his robe, to get a decision for himself in a cause.

.mt-body { max-height: none !important; -webkit-mask-image: none !important; mask-image: none !important; } .mt-bar { display: none !important; } .o-trans::after { display: block !important; }

Cross references

“A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.”

Proverbs 17:8 Exodus 23:8 Deuteronomy 16:19 Micah 7:3 Isaiah 1:23 Proverbs 18:16

Proverbs 17:8 · BSB

A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.

Exodus 23:8 · BSB

Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.

Deuteronomy 16:19 · BSB

Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.

Micah 7:3 · BSB

Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.

Isaiah 1:23 · BSB

Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.

Proverbs 18:16 · BSB

A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.

Also

Micah 3:11

Micah 3:11 · BSB

Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

22A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

24Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

Read Proverbs 17