Proverbs 17:23

A wicked man accepts a secret bribe 1 to pervert the ways of justice. 1

Unlocked Literal Bible

In The King James Version

A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

In Context

22A cheerful heart is good medicine, 1 but a broken spirit dries up the bones. 1

24The one who has understanding sets his face toward wisdom, 1 but the eyes of a fool are set on the ends of the earth. 1

Read all of Proverbs 17

Cross References

Deuteronomy 16:19You must not take justice away by force; you must not show partiality nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.

1 Samuel 12:3Here I am; testify against me before Yahweh and before his anointed one. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with? Testify against me, and I will restore it to you.”

Proverbs 18:16A man's gift may open the way 1 and bring him before an important person. 1

Isaiah 1:23Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves; 1 everyone loves bribes and runs after payoffs. 1 They do not defend the fatherless, nor does the widow's legal plea come before them. 1

Ezekiel 22:12These men take bribes within you in order to pour out blood and you have taken interest and gained too much profit, and you have damaged your neighbors through oppression, and you have forgotten me—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.

Micah 3:9Now listen to this, 1 you leaders of the house of Jacob, 1 and rulers of the house of Israel, 1 you who detest justice, 1 and pervert everything right. 1

Matthew Henry on Proverbs 17:23

22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Note, 1. It is healthful to be cheerful. The Lord is for the body, and has provided for it, not only meat, but medicine, and has here told us that the best medicine is a merry heart, not a heart addicted to vain, carnal, sensual mirth; Solomon himself said of that mirth, It is not medicine, but madness; it is not food, but poison; what doth it? But he means a heart rejoicing in God, and serving him with gladness, and then taking the… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Proverbs 17:23