For they will drinkand forgetwhat is decreed,And pervertthe rightsof allthe afflicted.
When [Ben-hadad] heardthismessage,as he was drinkingwith the kingsin the temporaryshelters,he saidto his servants,"Station[yourselves]." So they stationed[themselves] againstthe city.
"You shall not pervertthe justice[due] to your needy[brother] in his dispute.
He who justifiesthe wickedand he who condemnsthe righteous,Bothof them alikeare an abominationto the LORD.
To showpartialityto the wickedis not good,[Nor] to thrustasidethe righteousin judgment.
Woeto those who are heroesin drinkingwineAnd valiantmenin mixingstrongdrink,
Who justifythe wickedfor a bribe,And takeawaythe rightsof the ones whoare in the right!
"Do not drinkwineor strongdrink,neither you noryour sonswith you, when you comeinto the tentof meeting,so that you will not die--it is a perpetualstatutethroughout your generations--
"Furthermore,winebetraysthe haughtyman,So that he does not stayat home.He enlargeshis appetitelike Sheol,And he is like death,neversatisfied.He also gathersto himself allnationsAnd collectsto himself allpeoples.
"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.
