Proverbs 24:23-34

Good News Translation

More Wise Sayings

²³ The wise have also said these things:

It is wrong for judges to be prejudiced. ²⁴ If they pronounce a guilty person innocent, they will be cursed and hated by everyone. ²⁵ Judges who punish the guilty, however, will be prosperous and enjoy a good reputation.

²⁶ An honest answer is a sign of true friendship.

²⁷ Don't build your house and establish a home until your fields are ready, and you are sure that you can earn a living.

²⁸ Don't give evidence against others without good reason, or say misleading things about them. ²⁹ Don't say, “I'll do to them just what they did to me! I'll get even with them!”

³⁰ I walked through the fields and vineyards of a lazy, stupid person. ³¹ They were full of thorn bushes and overgrown with weeds. The stone wall around them had fallen down. ³² I looked at this, thought about it, and learned a lesson from it: ^33 (A)Go ahead and take your nap; go ahead and sleep. Fold your hands and rest awhile, ³⁴ but while you are asleep, poverty will attack you like an armed robber.