A wickedmanreceivesa bribefrom the bosomTo pervertthe waysof justice.
"You shall not takea bribe,for a bribeblindsthe clear-sightedand subvertsthe causeof the just.
A bribeis a charmin the sightof its owner;Whereverhe turns,he prospers.
A man'sgiftmakesroomfor him And bringshim beforegreatmen.
A giftin secretsubduesanger,And a bribein the bosom,strongwrath.
For oppressionmakesa wisemanmad,And a bribecorruptsthe heart.
Your rulersare rebelsAnd companionsof thieves;Everyonelovesa bribeAnd chasesafter rewards.They do not defendthe orphan,Nordoes the widow'spleacomebeforethem.
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.
"Her princeswithinher are like wolvestearingthe prey,by sheddingblood[and] destroyinglivesin orderto getdishonestgain.
Her leaderspronouncejudgmentfor a bribe,Her priestsinstructfor a priceAnd her prophetsdivinefor money.Yet they leanon the LORDsaying,"Is not the LORDin our midst?Calamitywill not comeupon us."
Nowhearthis,headsof the houseof JacobAnd rulersof the houseof Israel,Who abhorjusticeAnd twisteverythingthat is straight,
Concerningevil,both handsdoit well.The princeasks,also the judge,for a bribe,And a greatmanspeaksthe desireof his soul;So they weaveit together.
"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.
