As Whybray observes, this saying states a fact of life without expressing approval or disapproval.

“A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of him who gives it”: “A bribe” is used by Revised Standard Version in 15.27, although the Hebrew term is different in that verse. See there for comments. “A magic stone” probably refers to a charm or amulet. “In the eyes of him who gives it” is literally “in the eyes of its owner.” Interpreters differ as to whether it is the person who gives the bribe or the person who receives it who is the owner of the “magic stone”. Good News Translation avoids that problem with “Some people think. . ..” and “they believe. . ..” New English Bible/Revised English Bible translate “magic stone” as “charm” and Revised English Bible says “A bribe works like a charm for him who offers it.”

“Wherever he turns he prospers”: If the translation assumes, as in Revised Standard Version, that the person referred to in the first line is the giver of the bribe, “he” in the second line should also refer to this person. “Turns” renders a verb meaning to undertake or engage in something; so “wherever he turns” has the sense of “whatever he does” or “everything he does.” “Prospers” renders a word that may also mean to be wise or prudent, but here the idea of being successful fits the context better. This line may be translated, for example, “and they succeed in whatever they do” or “and they have good fortune in everything.”

The whole saying is rendered in one language as follows: “The person who gives money to others, to get them to do what isn’t right, thinks that money is like a magic charm to help him do everything that he wants to do.” In another the rendering is: “Some people think they can do fantastic things through bribery. They think it can meet all their needs.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .