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23 
These also are sayings of the wise:
To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 
He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
Peoples will curse him, nations will denounce him;
25 
But to those [honorable judges] who rebuke the wicked, it will go well with them and they will find delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.
26 
He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of people]
Who gives a right and straightforward answer.

27 
Prepare your work outside
And get it ready for yourself in the field;
[a]Afterward build your house and establish a home.

28 
Do not be a witness against your [b]neighbor without cause,
And do not deceive with your lips [speak neither lies nor half-truths].(A)
29 
Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will pay the man back for his deed.”(B)

30 
I went by the field of the lazy man,
And by the vineyard of the man lacking understanding and common sense;
31 
And, behold, it was all overgrown with thorns,
And nettles were covering its surface,
And its stone wall was broken down.
32 
When I saw, I considered it well;
I looked and received instruction.
33 
“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest [and daydream],”
34 
Then your poverty will come as a robber,
And your want like an armed man.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:27 Establishing your priorities and proceeding in an orderly manner brings its own reward.
  2. Proverbs 24:28 I.e. anyone who comes into your life, not necessarily one who lives nearby.

Further Sayings of the Wise

23 These also are sayings of the wise:(A)

To show partiality(B) in judging is not good:(C)
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,”(D)
    will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.
25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
    and rich blessing will come on them.

26 An honest answer
    is like a kiss on the lips.

27 Put your outdoor work in order
    and get your fields ready;
    after that, build your house.

28 Do not testify against your neighbor without cause(E)
    would you use your lips to mislead?
29 Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me;
    I’ll pay them back for what they did.”(F)

30 I went past the field of a sluggard,(G)
    past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;
31 thorns had come up everywhere,
    the ground was covered with weeds,
    and the stone wall was in ruins.
32 I applied my heart to what I observed
    and learned a lesson from what I saw:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest(H)
34 and poverty will come on you like a thief
    and scarcity like an armed man.(I)

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