Proverbs 15:27

27 A receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe. but by the fear of the Lord every one departs from evil.

Proverbs 15:27 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:27

He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house
Or "that covets a covetousness" ^F20, an evil one, as in ( Habakkuk 2:9 ) ; that seeks riches by unlawful means, that gathers the mammon of falsehood, or unrighteousness, as the Targum; he entails a curse and brings ruin and destruction upon his family; the Septuagint and Arabic versions are, he "destroys himself"; or "his own soul", as the Syriac version; it may be understood of a man that is over anxious and eager to be rich, and hurries on business, and gives his servants no proper time for food and rest; (See Gill on Proverbs 11:29); but he that hateth gifts shall live;
that rejects them with abhorrence, when offered to bribe him to pervert judgment, or to do an unjust thing; otherwise gifts may be lawfully received from one friend by another; the sin is when they are given and taken for the sake of doing what is base and sinful; and a man that shakes his hand from receiving gifts on such a basis, he and his family shall prosper and increase in worldly things; and, doing this from a right principle of grace, shall live comfortably in a spiritual sense, and thrive and flourish in his soul, and live an eternal life hereafter; see ( Psalms 16:5 Psalms 16:6 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 (eub euwb) "appetens concupiscentiam", Montanus; "qui avaritiam inhiat" Tigurine version; "concupiscens concupiscentiam", Vatablus.

Proverbs 15:27 In-Context

25 The Lord pulls down the houses of scorners; but he establishes the border of the widow.

26 An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honour.

27 A receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe. but by the fear of the Lord every one departs from evil.

28 The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness; but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things. The ways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord; and through them even enemies become friends.

29 God is far from the ungodly; but he hearkens to the prayers of the righteous. Better are small receipts with righteousness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness. Let the heart of a man think justly, that his steps may be rightly ordered of God. The eye that sees rightly rejoices the heart; and a good report fattens the bones.