27 The one who profits dishonestly(A) troubles his household,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(B)

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27 Those who acquire things unjustly gain trouble for their house,
    but those who hate bribes will live.

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A bribe(A) seems like a magic stone to its owner;
wherever he turns, he succeeds.(B)

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

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23 A wicked man secretly takes a bribe(A)
to subvert the course of justice.(B)

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

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16 A gift opens doors[a] for a man
and brings him before the great.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:16 Lit gift makes room

16 A gift opens the way
    for access to important people.

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14 A secret gift soothes anger,
and a covert bribe,[a] fierce rage.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:14 Lit a bribe in the bosom

14 A secret gift calms anger,
    and a hidden bribe removes[a] furious wrath.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:14 Heb lacks removes.

21 It is not good to show partiality(A)
yet a man may sin for a piece of bread.(B)

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21 Those who show favoritism aren’t good;
    people do wrong for a crust of bread.

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By justice a king brings stability to a land,(A)
but a man who demands “contributions”[a]
demolishes it.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:4 The Hb word for “contributions” usually refers to offerings in worship.

A king gives stability to the land by justice,
    but one who imposes heavy taxes tears it down.

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