Give me a desire for your rules, rather than for wealth gained unjustly.

The one who is greedy for gain troubles his household, but whoever hates bribes will live.

But his sons did not follow his ways. Instead, they made money dishonestly, accepted bribes, and perverted justice.

Is it of any special benefit to the Almighty that you should be righteous, or is it any gain to him that you make your ways blameless?

“What profit is there in taking my life, in my descending into the Pit? Can the dust of the grave praise you? Can it declare your loyalty?

Such are the ways of all who gain profit unjustly; it takes away the life of those who obtain it!

The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom, but the one who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

I was angry because of their sinful greed; I attacked them and angrily rejected them, yet they remained disobedient and stubborn.

“You who live along the rivers of Babylon, the time of your end has come. You who are rich in plundered treasure, it is time for your lives to be cut off.

“‘See, I strike my hands together at the dishonest profit you have made, and at the bloodshed they have done among you.

Her officials are like wolves in her midst rending their prey – shedding blood and destroying lives – so they can get dishonest profit.

The one who builds his house by unjust gain is as good as dead. He does this so he can build his nest way up high and escape the clutches of disaster.

Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?

Kings came, they fought; the kings of Canaan fought, at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo, but they took no silver as plunder.

The dogs have big appetites; they are never full. They are shepherds who have no understanding; they all go their own way, each one looking for monetary gain.

“That is because, from the least important to the most important of them, all of them are greedy for dishonest gain. Prophets and priests alike, all of them practice deceit.

But you are always thinking and looking for ways to increase your wealth by dishonest means. Your eyes and your heart are set on killing some innocent person and committing fraud and oppression.

You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God. How have we been helped by keeping his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord who rules over all?

But you choose from the people capable men, God-fearing, men of truth, those who hate bribes, and put them over the people as rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

The one who lives uprightly and speaks honestly; the one who refuses to profit from oppressive measures and rejects a bribe; the one who does not plot violent crimes and does not seek to harm others –