God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 17:23
23A wicked person secretly accepts a bribe to corrupt the ways of justice.
Proverbs 17:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
- New International Version (NIV)The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice.
Context of Proverbs 17:23
21The parent of a fool has grief, and the father of a godless fool has no joy. 22A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one’s strength. A wicked person secretly accepts a bribe to corrupt the ways of justice. 24Wisdom is directly in front of an understanding person, but the eyes of a fool ⌞are looking around⌟ all over the world. 25A foolish son is a heartache to his father and bitter grief to his mother.
Read all of Proverbs 17Proverbs 17:23 word by word
שֹׁ֣חַד מֵ֭חֵיק רָשָׁ֣ע יִקָּ֑ח לְ֝הַטּ֗וֹת אָרְח֥וֹת מִשְׁפָּֽט׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:23
- Proverbs 17:8A bribe seems ⌞like⌟ a jewel to the one who gives it. Wherever he turns, he prospers.
- Proverbs 18:16A gift opens doors for the one who gives it and brings him into the presence of great people.
- Proverbs 21:14A gift ⌞given⌟ in secret calms anger, and a secret bribe calms great fury.
- Exodus 23:8Never take a bribe, because bribes blind those who can see and deny justice to those who are in the right.
- Deuteronomy 16:19Never pervert justice. Instead, be impartial. Never take a bribe, because bribes blind wise people and deny justice to those who are in the right.
- 1 Samuel 8:3The sons didn’t follow their father’s example but turned to dishonest ways of making money. They took bribes and denied people justice.
- 1 Samuel 12:3Here I am. Testify against me in front of the Lord and in front of his anointed king. Did I take anyone’s ox? Did I take anyone’s donkey? Did I cheat or oppress anyone? Did I take a bribe from anyone to look the other way? ⌞If so,⌟ I will give it all back.”
- Isaiah 1:23Your rulers are rebels, friends with thieves. They all love bribes and run after gifts. They never defend orphans. They don’t notice the widows’ pleas.
- Ezekiel 22:12Other people take bribes to murder people. You collect interest and make excessive profits. You make profits by mistreating your neighbors. You have forgotten me, declares the Almighty Lord.
- Micah 7:3Their hands are skilled in doing evil. Officials ask for gifts. Judges accept bribes. Powerful people dictate what they want. So they scheme together.
- Mark 14:10Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus.
Commentaries on Proverbs 17:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23A gift out of the bosom - Out of his purse; as in their bosoms, above their girdles, the Asiatics carry their purses. I have often observed this.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23The words “out of the bosom,” from the fold of the garment, rather than from the bag or girdle in which money was usually carried, possibly point to the stealthiness with which the “gift” (or, bribe) is offered to the judge.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 The wicked are ready to part with their money, though loved, that they may not suffer for their crimes.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. a gift ... bosom--Money and other valuables were borne in a fold of the garment, called the bosom. to pervert--that is, by bribery.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 17:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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