Deuteronomy 16:19

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You shall not pervert judgment; you shall not show partiality, neither take a bribe: for a bribe does blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

Verse 18 Read Chapter 16 Verse 20

Caesarius of Arles

AD 542

Those who hear cases should decide them justly and not accept bribes at the expense of the innocent, “for gifts blind the hearts of the wise and change the words of the just.” Otherwise, while they are acquiring money, they may lose their soul. No one obtains unjust profit without a just loss. Where the gain is, there is the loss: a gain in the money coffer but a loss in the conscience.

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George Leo Haydock

AD 1849

Just. Avarice is like a cloud, (Calmet) which darkens the understanding. Oppression troubleth the wise, and (Hebrew) "a present destroyeth the heart. "A timid or interested judge is unfit for his office. Sir Thomas More was very careful not to receive presents, while he was high chancellor of England. (Haydock) If even the just are in danger of being perverted by presents, what must we think of others? (Du Hamel)

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Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation - 2 Peter 1:20