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Excellent. Yes, I read both of those in the last couple of years actually. In the 2nd, you get right off the bribe there in Isaiah ch 1 isn't a good thing, but one of the reasons God is going to intervene and punish them.
But the proverb verse is a lot more...interesting, yes? Of course, there is often language meant to wake us up, and we need to be reading in the Proverbs, to get a feel for the style of wording, but this is one that wasn't clear easily. Let's look at more than 1 or 2 translations, and perhaps commentary.
New International Version
A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.
English Standard Version
A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.
Berean Study Bible
A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
New American Standard Bible
A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(8) A gift is as a precious stone . . .--A description of the influence of bribery:--A bribe is as a jewel in the eyes of him that receives it; whithersoever he turns he prospers: all his energies are called out by the prospect of gain, so that he carries out successfully all that he sets his hand to. The constant warnings against this form of corruption, from the time of Moses (Exodus 23:8) to that of the prophets (Amos 5:12; Isaiah 1:23, &c), show the prevalence of the evil in Israel.
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 8. - There is a breath of satire in this verse. A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it. "A precious stone" is literally "a stone of grace" (Proverbs 1:9). The gnome expresses the idea that a bribe is like a bright jewel that dazzles the sight and affects the mind of him who receives it (see on Proverbs 15:27; comp. Deuteronomy 16:19; 1 Samuel 12:3). Ovid, 'Art. Amat.,' 3:653 -
All from Biblehub here: Proverbs 17:8 A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
Here we can notice how the NIV brings out the meaning better. Interestingly the NIV included Jewish scholars in the translation team. This was an advantage here I think over other translation teams.
I think I'm sidetracking us a little.
The more important passage here is the Romans 12 NIV passage above in post 45.
So, the giving of "gifts" such as cookies or picking up their tree tops IS a good thing which usually receives a response of goodwill. or favor. or biased consideration. biu it is not a bribe.
It WOULD become a bribe if the good-deed doer later is imposed upon by the neighbor they gifted and in response to the offense the good-deed doer brings up their past gift/good-deed. They then have attached a price/bribe to what good they did and demanding recompense and it wasn't a matter of Christ's love but self-servitude.
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