A bribeis a charmin the sightof its owner;Whereverhe turns,he prospers.
two hundredfemalegoatsand twentymalegoats,two hundredewesand twentyrams,
So the presentpassedon beforehim, while he himselfspentthat nightin the camp.
Then their fatherIsraelsaidto them, "If[it must be] so,thendothis:takesomeof the bestproductsof the landin your bags,and carrydownto the manas a present,a littlebalmand a littlehoney,aromaticgumand myrrh,pistachionutsand almonds.
He sentfrom on high,He tookme; He drewme out of manywaters.
Its risingis from one endof the heavens,And its circuitto the other endof them; And thereis nothinghiddenfrom its heat.
Be exalted,O LORD,in Your strength;We will singand praiseYour power.
The voiceof the LORDis powerful,The voiceof the LORDis majestic.
"You shall not takea bribe,for a bribeblindsthe clear-sightedand subvertsthe causeof the just.
A wickedmanreceivesa bribefrom the bosomTo pervertthe waysof justice.
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.
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.
"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.
So Davidreceivedfrom her handwhatshe had broughthim and saidto her, "Goup to your housein peace.See,I have listenedto you and grantedyour request."
