Proverbs 15:27

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

Proverbs 15:27 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
English Standard Version (ESV)
27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.
New Living Translation (NLT)
27 Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live.
The Message Bible (MSG)
27 A greedy and grasping person destroys community; those who refuse to exploit live and let live.
American Standard Version (ASV)
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth bribes shall live.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble to his family, but whoever hates bribes will live.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
27 The one who profits dishonestly troubles his household, but the one who hates bribes will live.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
27 Anyone who always wants more brings trouble to his family. But a person who refuses to be paid off will live.

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 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

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

Proverbs 15:27 In-Context

25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Exodus 23:8; S Psalms 15:5; Isaiah 1:23; Isaiah 33:15
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