“To show partiality is not good”: “To show partiality” is literally “To regard faces.” This line is a variant of 24.23b. See there for the translation of “partiality”. This saying, located as it is between rushing to riches in verse 20 and greedy persons in verse 22, probably refers to partiality or unfairness in legal cases by witnesses or judges. Scott translates “To show partiality [in a judicial decision] is wrong.”

“But for a piece of bread a man will do wrong”: “A piece of bread” is an understatement or figurative language referring to a bribe, which Good News Translation calls “the smallest bribe.” Contemporary English Version says “but some people can be bribed with only a piece of bread.” “Do wrong” is literally “transgress,” meaning to commit some sin or break some law.

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 .