One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
Micah 7:3 - Hebrew Names version (HNV) Their hands are on that which is evil to do it diligently. The ruler and judge ask for a bribe; and the powerful man dictates the evil desire of his soul. Thus they conspire together. Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition Both their hands are put forth and are upon what is evil to do it diligently; the prince and the judge ask for a bribe, and the great man utters his evil desire. Thus they twist between them [the course of justice]. American Standard Version (1901) Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; the prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul: thus they weave it together. Common English Bible Their hands are skilled at doing evil. Official and judge alike ask for a bribe; the powerful speak however they like; this is how they conspire. Catholic Public Domain Version The evil of their hands, they call good. The leader is demanding, and the judge is yielding, and the great is speaking the desire of his soul, and they have confused it. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version The evil of their hands they call good: the prince requireth, and the judge is for giving: and the great man hath uttered the desire of his soul, and they have troubled it. |
One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards. They don't judge the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.
For, behold, the LORD comes forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth also will disclose her blood, and will no longer cover her slain.
The people will be oppressed, everyone by another, and everyone by his neighbor. The child will behave himself proudly against the old man, and the base against the honorable.
The ways of the scoundrel are evil. He devises wicked devices to destroy the humble with lying words, even when the needy speaks right.
who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice for the innocent!
Will he retain [his anger] forever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, you have spoken and have done evil things, and have had your way.
For my people are foolish, they don't know me; they are foolish children, and they have no understanding; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
Therefore will I give their wives to others, and their fields to those who shall possess them: for everyone from the least even to the greatest is given to covetousness; from the prophet even to the Kohen every one deals falsely.
In you have they taken bribes to shed blood; you have taken interest and increase, and you have greedily gained of your neighbors by oppression, and have forgotten me, says the Lord GOD.
Her princes in the midst of it are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, [and] to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.
Behold, the princes of Yisra'el, everyone according to his power, have been in you to shed blood.
Because you thrust with side and with shoulder, and push all the diseased with your horns, until you have scattered them abroad;
Then said he to me, The iniquity of the house of Yisra'el and Yehudah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of wrestling [of judgment]: for they say, the LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD doesn't see.
Their drink has become sour. They play the prostitute continually. Her rulers dearly love their shameful way.
They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.
For I know how many your offenses, and how great are your sins-- you who afflict the just, who take a bribe, and who turn aside the needy in the courts.
But lately my people have risen up as an enemy. You strip the robe and clothing from those who pass by without a care, returning from battle.
Her leaders judge for bribes, and her Kohanim teach for a price, and her prophets of it tell fortunes for money: yet they lean on the LORD, and say, *Isn't the LORD in the midst of us? No disaster will come on us.*
You who hate the good, and love the evil; who tear off their skin, and their flesh from off their bones;
and said, *What are you willing to give me, that I should deliver him to you?* They weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.