²³ Your rulers are rebels,
friends of thieves.^(A)
They all love a bribe
and chase after backhanders.^(B)
They do not defend the rights of the fatherless,
and the widow’s case never comes before them.^(C)

³ Both hands are good^(A) at accomplishing evil:
the official and the judge demand a bribe;^(B)
when the powerful man communicates his evil desire,
they plot it together.