Proverbs 15:27
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He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
27 Whoever does service to [servit] avarice troubleth his own house; But he that hateth gifts shall live. Regarding בּצע בּצע, vid., at Pro 1:19, and regarding עכר בּיתו, Pro 11:29, where it is subject, but here object.; Pro 28:16 is a variation of 27b. מתּנות are here gifts in the sense of Ecc 7:7, which pervert judgment, and cause respect of persons. The lxx from this point mingles together a series of proverbs with those of the following chapter.
Open source ↗Note, 1. Those that are covetous entail trouble upon their families: He that is greedy of gain, and therefore makes himself a slave to the world, rises up early, sits up late, and eats the bread of carefulness, in pursuit of it - he that hurries, and puts himself and all about him upon the stretch, in business, frets and vexes at every loss and disappointment, and quarrels with every body that stands in the way of his profit - he troubles his own house, is a burden and vexation to his children and servants. He that, in his greediness of gain, takes bribes, and uses unlawful ways of getting money, leaves a curse with what he gets to those that come after him, which sooner or later will bring trouble into the house, Hab 2:9, Hab 2:10. 2. Those that are generous as well as righteous entail a blessing upon their families: He that hates gifts, that shakes his hands from holding the bribes that are thrust into his hand to pervert justice and abhors all sinful indirect ways of getting money - that hates to be paltry and mercenary, and is willing, if there be occasion, to do good gratis - he shall live; he shall have the comfort of life, shall live in prosperity and reputation; his name and family shall live and continue.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.
Such is the fate of all who are greedy, whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors.
Like a partridge hatching eggs it did not lay is the man who makes a fortune unjustly. In the middle of his days his riches will desert him, and in the end he will be the fool.”
Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.
He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.
And you must not bring any detestable thing into your house, or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. You are to utterly detest and abhor it, because it is set apart for destruction.
An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.
Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!” And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—as white as snow.