“Do not accept a bribe,(A) for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.

Read full chapter

And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.

Read full chapter

Judges

18 Appoint judges(A) and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly.(B)

Read full chapter

18 Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

Read full chapter

19 Do not pervert justice(A) or show partiality.(B) Do not accept a bribe,(C) for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.

Read full chapter

19 Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

Read full chapter

25 “Cursed is anyone who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.”(A)

Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

Read full chapter

25 Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Read full chapter

Israel Asks for a King

When Samuel grew old, he appointed(A) his sons as Israel’s leaders.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 8:1 Traditionally judges

And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

Read full chapter

But his sons(A) did not follow his ways. They turned aside(B) after dishonest gain and accepted bribes(C) and perverted(D) justice.

Read full chapter

And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

Read full chapter

34 For the company of the godless(A) will be barren,
    and fire will consume(B) the tents of those who love bribes.(C)

Read full chapter

34 For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.

Read full chapter