¹⁹ You must not pervert judgment.+ You must not be partial+ or accept a bribe, for the bribe blinds the eyes of wise ones+ and distorts the words of righteous ones.

³ And his sons did not walk in his ways,+ but they were inclined to follow unjust profit+ and would accept a bribe+ and pervert judgment.+

¹⁹ Thus are the paths of everyone making unjust profit.+ It takes away the very soul of its owners.+

⁷ For mere oppression may make a wise one act crazy,+ and a gift+ can destroy the heart.+

²³ Your princes are stubborn and partners with thieves.+ Every one of them is a lover of a bribe+ and a chaser after gifts.+ For a fatherless boy they do not render judgment; and even the legal case of a widow does not get admittance to them.+