3 Both hands are skilled in doing evil;

the ruler demands gifts,

the judge accepts bribes,

the powerful dictate what they desire—

they all conspire together.

3 That they may do evil with both hands earnestly,

The prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward;

And the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire:

So they wrap it up.

3 Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil!

Officials and judges alike demand bribes.

The people with influence get what they want,

and together they scheme to twist justice.

3 That they may successfully do evil with both hands—

The prince asks for gifts,

The judge seeks a bribe,

And the great man utters his evil desire;

So they scheme together.

3 With both hands they are doing evil.

Rulers ask for money,

and judges’ decisions are bought for a price.

Rich people tell what they want,

and they get it.

3 Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; the prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul: thus they weave it together.

3 Both hands are for evil, to do it well. The prince asketh, and the judge is there for a reward; and the great man uttereth his soul’s greed: and together they combine it.

3 Their hands are skilled in doing evil. 

Officials ask for gifts. 

Judges accept bribes. 

Powerful people dictate what they want. 

So they scheme together. 

3 Both hands are good at accomplishing evil:

the official and the judge demand a bribe;

when the powerful man communicates his evil desire,

they plot it together.

3 Their hands are skilled to do evil;

the official and the judge ask for a bribe,

and the powerful dictate what they desire;

thus they pervert justice.

3 Their hands are upon evil, to do it well;

the official and the judge ask for the bribe,

and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul;

and they weave it together.

3 They are very good at doing what is evil.

Rulers require gifts.

Judges accept money from people

who want special favors.

Those who are powerful

always get what they want.

All of them make evil plans together.

3 Concerning evil, both hands do it well.

The prince asks, also the judge, for a bribe,

And a great man speaks the desire of his soul;

So they weave it together.