Corrupt judges accept secret bribes, and then justice is not done.

The LORD reached down from above and took hold of me; he pulled me out of the deep waters.

It starts at one end of the sky and goes across to the other. Nothing can hide from its heat.

We praise you, LORD, for your great strength! We will sing and praise your power.

The voice of the LORD is heard in all its might and majesty.

Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe makes people blind to what is right and ruins the cause of those who are innocent.

They are not to be unjust or show partiality in their judgments; and they are not to accept bribes, for gifts blind the eyes even of wise and honest men, and cause them to give wrong decisions.

But Esau said, "I have enough, my brother; keep what you have."

Please accept this gift which I have brought for you; God has been kind to me and given me everything I need." Jacob kept on urging him until he accepted.

Their father said to them, "If that is how it has to be, then take the best products of the land in your packs as a present for the governor: a little resin, a little honey, spices, pistachio nuts, and almonds.

Then David accepted what she had brought him and said to her, "Go back home and don't worry. I will do what you want."

When David had gone a little beyond the top of the hill, he was suddenly met by Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, who had with him a couple of donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred bunches of fresh fruit, and a leather bag full of wine.

"Where is Mephibosheth, the grandson of your master Saul?" the king asked him. "He is staying in Jerusalem," Ziba answered, "because he is convinced that the Israelites will now restore to him the kingdom of his grandfather Saul."

They are all experts at doing evil. Officials and judges ask for bribes. The influential people tell them what they want, and so they scheme together.