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27 ·Greedy people [L Those who get unjust gain] bring trouble to their ·families [L house],
but the person who ·can’t be paid to do wrong [L hates gifts/bribes] will live.

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27 
He who profits unlawfully brings suffering to his own house,
But he who hates bribes [and does not receive nor pay them] will live.(A)

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27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
    but the one who hates bribes will live.(A)

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·Some people think they can pay others to do anything they ask [L A bribe is a magic stone in the eyes of those who give it].
·They think it will work every time [L It grants success to all who use it].

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A bribe is like a bright, precious stone in the eyes of its owner;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.

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A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;
    they think success will come at every turn.(A)

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23 When the wicked ·accept money to do wrong [take a secret bribe/L bribe from the chest/bosom]
·there can be no [it stretches] justice.

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23 
A wicked man receives a bribe from the [hidden] pocket
To pervert the ways of justice.

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23 The wicked accept bribes(A) in secret
    to pervert the course of justice.(B)

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16 Taking gifts to important people
will help get you in to see them.

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16 
A man’s gift [given in love or courtesy] makes room for him
And brings him before great men.(A)

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16 A gift(A) opens the way
    and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

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14 A secret gift will calm an angry person;
a ·present [or bribe] given in secrecy will quiet great anger [Ex. 23:8; Deut. 16:19; 27:25; Ps. 15:5; Eccl. 7:7; Is. 1:23].

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14 
A gift in secret subdues anger,
And a bribe [hidden] in the pocket, strong wrath.

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14 A gift given in secret soothes anger,
    and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.(A)

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21 It is not good ·for a judge to take sides [to show favoritism/partiality; L to recognize faces],
but some will ·sin [transgress; do wrong] for only a piece of bread.

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21 
To have regard for one person over another and to show favoritism is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

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21 To show partiality(A) is not good(B)
    yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.(C)

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If a king is ·fair [just], he makes his country ·strong [stable],
but if he ·takes gifts dishonestly [heavily taxes/extorts it], he tears his country down [1 Sam. 12:10–18].

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The king establishes (stabilizes) the land by justice,
But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.

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By justice a king gives a country stability,(A)
    but those who are greedy for[a] bribes tear it down.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:4 Or who give