To Bribe or Not to Bribe?

Thinking again about this notty (or naughty) issue. A fundamental point to make about bribery: bribery involves at least two parties, the briber and the victim.

Some biblical texts that seem pro-bribery

• A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers  (Proverbs 17:8)
• A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath (Proverbs 21:14)

Some other texts seem contra bribery

• The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice (Proverbs 17:23)
• Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart (Ecclesiastes 7:7)

So, does the Bible permit bribery?

• Falkiner argues an unequivocal no,
• but Koukl gives a nuanced yes

Position #1: Bribery is not permitted
Falkiner disagrees with the arguments of the pro-bribery position

• Don't force your culture on others
• Do it for the greater good
• Don't think of it as a bribe
• Bribery doesn't hurt anything
• The Bible is unclear on bribery
• Conclusion: "It should be obvious that bribery is not an option for a Christian."

Position #2: Bribery is permitted in certain cases
Koukl's nuanced conclusion

When you give a bribe to a police officer so that he can fix your ticket or not give you a ticket when you are guilty, that is a perversion of justice. Imagine a situation, though, where you're in a foreign country trying to get food to refugees and the military stops you. But you can proceed on your mission if you give them a bribe. It offers you an opportunity to accomplish good if you would just give a little gift. If you do that, would you be perverting justice? Now the answer of course is no, not in that situation. As a matter of fact one could argue that you are paying to get justice because there is no good reason for you to be delayed... It is tragic that you must pay to get justice and the person who demands money in order to give you justice is immoral. He's immoral at that point because justice is due you without you having to pay for it. But are you wrong in giving it? No. I don't think so. You are not perverting justice, you are getting what is your just due.

A Modest Assessment
It certainly seems that when the Bible normally talks about the immorality of bribery, it condemns the victim rather than considering the morality of the bribery (it's as if it is assumed that the briber was wicked, obviously?). Inasmuch as bribery participates in injustice, it is certainly condemned; but if someone does follow Koukl's 'better good argument' and 'perpetuation of justice argument' regarding the Proverbs texts, I would like to know how he handles a text like Ecclesiastes 7:7.  Also, I am wondering if we would ever encounter a situation where the giving of a bribe did not involve the perpetuation of injustice, especially as most situations are rarely so unambiguous.

Update
Another helpful text (among others) to consider, in the historical narrative of Acts 24:26-27: Felix attempted to get a bribe from Paul several times, Paul apparently repeatedly refused, and (most likely as consequence) Paul remained in prison for 2 more years.
(HT: G)