Proverbs 17:8

New English Translation

⁸A bribe works like^[a] a charm^[b] for the one who offers it;^[c]
in whatever he does^[d] he succeeds.^[e]

Proverbs 17:8 tn The phrase “works like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied for the sake of clarity.
Proverbs 17:8 tn Heb “a stone of favors”; NAB, NRSV “a magic stone.” The term שֹׁחַד (shokhad, “bribe”) could be simply translated as “a gift,” but the second half of the verse says that the one who offers it is successful. At best it could be a gift that opens doors; at worst it is a bribe. The word שֹׁחַד is never used of a disinterested gift, so there is always something of the bribe in it (e.g., Ps 15:5; Isa 1:23). Here it is “a stone that brings favor,” the genitive being the effect or the result of the gift. In other words, it has magical properties and “works like a charm.”
Proverbs 17:8 tn Heb “in the eyes of its owner.”
Proverbs 17:8 tn Heb “in all that he turns”; NASB, NIV “wherever he turns.”
Proverbs 17:8 sn As C. H. Toy points out, the sage is merely affirming a point without making a comment—those who use bribery meet with widespread success (Proverbs [ICC], 341). This does not amount to an endorsement of bribery.

Proverbs 17:8

Common English Bible

⁸A bribe seems magical in the eyes of those who give it,
granting success to all who use it.

¹⁸The one who lacks sense^[a] strikes hands in pledge,^[b]
and puts up financial security^[c] for his neighbor.^[d]

Proverbs 17:18 tn Heb “lacking of mind.” The term לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) refers by metonymy to thinking, and by extension to discernment, wisdom, good sense. Cf. KJV, ASV “a man void of understanding”; NIV “a man lacking in judgment.”
Proverbs 17:18 tn The phrase “in pledge” is supplied for the sake of clarification.
Proverbs 17:18 tn The line uses the participle עֹרֵב (ʿorev) with its cognate accusative עֲרֻבָּה (ʿarubbah), “who pledges a pledge.”
Proverbs 17:18 sn It is foolish to pledge security for someone’s loans (e.g., Prov 6:1-5).

¹⁸One with no sense shakes hands on a deal,
securing a loan for a friend.

²³A wicked person receives a bribe secretly^[a]
to pervert^[b] the ways of justice.

Proverbs 17:23 sn The fact that the “gift” is given secretly (Heb “from the bosom” [מֵחֵיק, mekheq]; so NASB) indicates that it was not proper. Cf. NRSV “a concealed bribe”; TEV, CEV, NLT “secret bribes.”
Proverbs 17:23 tn The form לְהַטּוֹת (l^ehattot) is the Hiphil infinitive construct of נָטָה (natah), meaning “to thrust away,” i.e., to “pervert.” This purpose clause clarifies that the receiving of the “gift” is for evil intent.

²³The wicked take secret bribes
to twist the way of justice.

New English Translation (NET)

Common English Bible (CEB)