Proverbs 17:23
BSB · Public Domain (CC0)“A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.”
What this verse means
A short, plain-language explanation of Proverbs 17:23 goes here — the kind of answer a reader (or an AI assistant) can quote in one breath. Original meaning coming soon.
Compare translations
BSBPD
“A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.”
Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)KJVPD
“A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.”
King James Version · Public DomainASVPD
“A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.”
American Standard Version · Public DomainYLTPD
“A bribe from the bosom the wicked taketh, To turn aside the paths of judgment.”
Young's Literal Translation · Public DomainCross references
Other passages that echo Proverbs 17:23 — 15 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 23:8Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.
- Deuteronomy 16:19Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.
- 1 Samuel 8:3But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.
- 1 Samuel 12:3Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”
- Proverbs 17:8A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
- Proverbs 18:16A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
- Proverbs 21:14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
- Isaiah 1:23Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.
- Isaiah 5:23who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice.
- Ezekiel 22:12In you they take bribes to shed blood. You engage in usury, take excess interest, and extort your neighbors. But Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD.
- Ezekiel 22:27Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.
- Micah 3:9Now hear this, O leaders of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and pervert all that is right,
- Micah 3:11Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”
- Micah 7:3Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.
- Mark 14:10Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.
Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).
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