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

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27 He who makes trouble for his house is he who is greedy for unjust gain,
    but he who hates bribes will live.

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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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The bribe is a stone of magic in the eyes of its owner;[a]
    everywhere[b] he will turn, he will prosper.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:8 Or “master”
  2. Proverbs 17:8 Literally “to all which”

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

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23 The wicked will accept a bribe from the lap,
    in order to pervert the ways of justice.

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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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16 The gift of a person will open doors for him,
    and before the great, it gives him access.

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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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14 A gift in secret[a] will avert anger,[b]
    and a concealed bribe,[c] strong wrath.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:14 Hebrew “the secret”
  2. Proverbs 21:14 Literally “nostril”
  3. Proverbs 21:14 Literally “bribe in the bosom”

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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21 Showing partiality[a] is not good,
    and over a morsel of bread, a strong man will do wrong.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:21 Literally “Recognizing faces”

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

By justice a king gives stability to a land,
    but a man of bribes will ruin it.

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