Proverbs 17:23

23 The wicked take secret bribes to twist the way of justice.

Proverbs 17:23 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 17:23

A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom
Of another, of a rich man, who takes it out from thence, and offers it to him as a bribe. This he takes in the most secret manner, that it might not be seen by others; though the Arabic version renders it, "he that receives a gift in his own bosom commits iniquity"; it is true of both the giver and the receiver; the one gives out of his bosom, and the other takes if from thence, and puts it into his own, and both are wicked. And the words are by some rendered, though it seems contrary to the accents, "a gift out of the bosom of the wicked he will take" F26; the unjust judge, who is bribed with it: to pervert the ways of judgment;
to turn the course of justice, and hinder it from taking place; favouring a bad cause, and pronouncing a wrong sentence, which is wresting judgment.


FOOTNOTES:

F26 (xqy evr qyxm dxv) "munus de sinu impii accipiet", Baynus.

Proverbs 17:23 In-Context

21 Having a fool for a son brings grief; there's no joy for a scoundrel's father.
22 A joyful heart helps healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
23 The wicked take secret bribes to twist the way of justice.
24 Wisdom is right in front of those with understanding, but the eyes of fools are off to the edges of the earth.
25 A foolish son is irritating to his father and bitter to her who gave birth to him.
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