For oppressionmakesa wisemanmad,And a bribecorruptsthe heart.
"You shall not takea bribe,for a bribeblindsthe clear-sightedand subvertsthe causeof the just.
A wickedmanreceivesa bribefrom the bosomTo pervertthe waysof justice.
A bribeis a charmin the sightof its owner;Whereverhe turns,he prospers.
Then I lookedagainat allthe actsof oppressionwhichwere being doneunderthe sun.And behold[I saw] the tearsof the oppressedand [that] they hadnooneto comfort[them]; and on the sideof their oppressorswas power,but they hadnooneto comfort[them].
Ifyou seeoppressionof the poorand denialof justiceand righteousnessin the province,do not be shockedat the sight;for one officialwatchesoveranother official,and there are higherofficialsoverthem.
AllthisI have seenand appliedmy mindto everydeedthat has been doneunderthe sunwhereina manhas exercisedauthorityover [another] manto his hurt.
Your rulersare rebelsAnd companionsof thieves;Everyonelovesa bribeAnd chasesafter rewards.They do not defendthe orphan,Nordoes the widow'spleacomebeforethem.
He who walksrighteouslyand speakswith sincerity,He who rejectsunjustgainAnd shakeshis handssothat they holdnobribe;He who stopshis earsfrom hearingabout bloodshedAnd shutshis eyesfrom lookingupon evil;
"You shall not distortjustice;you shall not be partial,and you shall not takea bribe,for a bribeblindsthe eyesof the wiseand pervertsthe wordsof the righteous.
"Among thosenationsyou shall findnorest,and there will be norestingplacefor the soleof your foot;but therethe LORDwill giveyou a tremblingheart,failingof eyes,and despairof soul.
"HereI am; bearwitnessagainst me beforethe LORDand His anointed.Whoseoxhave I taken,or whosedonkeyhave I taken,or whomhave I defrauded?Whomhave I oppressed,or from whosehandhave I takena bribeto blindmy eyeswith it? I will restore[it] to you."
Then Achishsaidto his servants,"Behold,you seethe manbehavingas a madman.Whydo you bringhim to me?
His sons,however, did not walkin his ways,but turnedasideafterdishonestgainand tookbribesand pervertedjustice.
