Proverbs Chapter 17 verse 23 Holy Bible
A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.
read chapter 17 in ASV
A sinner takes an offering out of his robe, to get a decision for himself in a cause.
read chapter 17 in BBE
A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.
read chapter 17 in DARBY
A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
read chapter 17 in KJV
read chapter 17 in WBT
A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, To pervert the ways of justice.
read chapter 17 in WEB
A bribe from the bosom the wicked taketh, To turn aside the paths of judgment.
read chapter 17 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 23. - A gift out of the bosom; i.e. secretly from the fold of the garment, and not from the purse or bag wherein money was ostensibly carried. A corrupt judge "taketh," i.e. receives a bribe conveyed to him secretly (Proverbs 21:14). To pervert the ways of judgment. The judges had no appointed salaries; hence the unprincipled among them were open to bribery. The strict injunctions of the Law, and the stern denunciations of the prophets, were alike ineffectual in checking corruption (see Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19; Isaiah 1:23; Jeremiah 22:17; Ezekiel 13:19; Hosea 4:18, etc.). Septuagint, "The man that receiveth gifts in his bosom unjustly, his ways shall not prosper." For, as Job avows (Job 15:34), "Fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery." The LXX. adds, "The impious turns aside from the ways of righteousness."
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(23) A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom.--Or rather, receives it. "From the bosom" signifies the folds of the dress in which the bribe was concealed, ready to be slipped into the judge's hand whose favour was to be bought.
