"You shall not takea bribe,for a bribeblindsthe clear-sightedand subvertsthe causeof the just.
He does not putout his moneyat interest,Nordoes he takea bribeagainstthe innocent.He who doesthesethingswill neverbe shaken.
In whosehandsis a wickedscheme,And whose righthandis fullof bribes.
He who profitsillicitlytroubleshis own house,But he who hatesbribeswill live.
A wickedmanreceivesa bribefrom the bosomTo pervertthe waysof justice.
A bribeis a charmin the sightof its owner;Whereverhe turns,he prospers.
Wealthaddsmanyfriends,But a poormanis separatedfrom his friend.
For oppressionmakesa wisemanmad,And a bribecorruptsthe heart.
"Bringyour worthlessofferingsnolonger,Incenseis an abominationto Me. Newmoonand sabbath,the callingof assemblies--I cannotendureiniquityand the solemnassembly.
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;
Woeto those who are heroesin drinkingwineAnd valiantmenin mixingstrongdrink,
Who justifythe wickedfor a bribe,And takeawaythe rightsof the ones whoare in the right!
"In you they have takenbribesto shedblood;you have takeninterestand profits,and you have injuredyour neighborsfor gainby oppression,and you have forgottenMe," declaresthe LordGOD.
Their liquorgone,They playthe harlotcontinually;Their rulersdearlyloveshame.
For I knowyour transgressionsare manyand your sinsare great,[You] who distressthe righteous[and] acceptbribesAnd turnasidethe poorin the gate.
Concerningevil,both handsdoit well.The princeasks,also the judge,for a bribe,And a greatmanspeaksthe desireof his soul;So they weaveit together.
"For the LORDyour Godis the Godof godsand the Lordof lords,the great,the mighty,and the awesomeGodwhodoes not showpartialitynortakea bribe.
"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.
"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."
His sons,however, did not walkin his ways,but turnedasideafterdishonestgainand tookbribesand pervertedjustice.
