15:27

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

27a
He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household,

27b but he who hates bribes will live.

15:27a

He who is greedy for unjust gain: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “one who gains unjust gain.” The same phrase occurs in 1:19a, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “all who are greedy, whose unjust gain….” In most contexts, including here, it refers to someone who tries to get rich wrongfully or dishonestly. The contrasting statement in 15:27b implies that this greedy person tries to get rich through the specific means of taking bribes.

brings trouble on his household: See the note on 11:29a, where this identical phrase occurs. It means that he causes trouble, ruin, or harm to everyone in his household. Another way to express this meaning is:

Those who are greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households (New Revised Standard Version)

15:27b

but he who hates bribes: These words could refer to a person who hates to give bribes or a person who hates to take bribes. The parallel contrast with a greedy man in 15:27a implies that they refer to a person who refuses to take bribes.

will live: This phrase implies a good, long life. Some versions make this implied information explicit. For example:

He who spurns a bribe will enjoy long life (Revised English Bible)

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