Translation commentary on Proverbs 28:21

“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 .

complete verse (Proverbs 28:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 28:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “It is not good to be partial,
    and a person who accepts to be given a bribe to distort matters is sinful.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “It is not good to play favorites.
    But people do evil things
    for a piece of bread.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “(It is) not good if you (sing.) show/[lit. have] partiality. But there are people who do this because they are carried-away by bribe, even a little of this.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The showing-of-favoritism-to someone is not good, but there are nonetheless some who can-be-bribed for merely one bread.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “It is not good for judges to decide matters unfairly/unjustly,
    but some people will do what is wrong even if they receive only a very small bribe for doing it.” (Source: Translation for Translators)