Proverbs 17:23
A bribe out of his bosom, doth a lawless man take, to pervert the ways of justice.
The Emphasised Bible by J. B. Rotherham
In The King James Version
A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
In Context
22A joyful heart, worketh an excellent cure,—but, a stricken spirit, drieth up the bone.
Cross References
Deuteronomy 16:19Thou shalt not wrest judgment, thou shalt not take note of faces,—nor shalt thou accept a bribe, for the bribe, blindeth the eyes of wise men, and perverteth the words of righteous men.
1 Samuel 12:3Behold me! testify against me, before Yahweh, and before his Anointed—Whose, ox, have I taken? or whose, ass, have I taken? or whom have I oppressed? Whom have I crushed? or at whose, hands, have I taken a bribe, to cover up mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it unto you.
Proverbs 18:16The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.
Isaiah 1:23Thy rulers, are unruly, and companions of thieves, Every one of the people, loveth a bribe, and runneth after rewards,—The fatherless, they do not vindicate, And, the plea of the widow, reacheth them not.
Ezekiel 22:12Bribes, have they accepted in thee, For the sake of shedding blood,-Interest and increase, hast thou accepted And thou hast overreached thy neighbour by oppression, And me, hast thou forgotten, Declareth My Lord Yahweh.
Micah 3:9Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and ye judges of the house of Israel,—who abhor justice, and, all right, do pervert:
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 →