Add parallel Print Page Options

23 These sayings are also for the wise:
    Partiality[a] in judgment is not good.
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are righteous,” the people will curse him;
    the nations will abhor him.
25 But they who rebuke will have delight,
    and upon them blessings of goodness will come.
26 He will kiss the lips,
    he who gives an honest answer.
27 Prepare your work in the street and get it ready for yourself in the field;
    afterward, then[b] you shall build your house.
28 Do not be a witness without cause against your neighbor
    nor deceive with your lips.
29 Do not say, “Just as he has done to me, so shall I do to him;
    I will pay back the man according to his deed.”
30 I passed by the field of a lazy person,
    and over the vineyard of a person lacking sense;[c]
31 and behold, it was overgrown—all of it was covered with thorns, its surface with nettles,
    and its stone wall[d] was broken down.
32 Then I myself saw and my heart[e] considered;
    I looked, and I took hold of instruction:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands for rest,
34 and your poverty will come running,
    and your lack like an armed warrior.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:23 Literally “acknowledge faces”
  2. Proverbs 24:27 Hebrew “and”
  3. Proverbs 24:30 Literally “heart”
  4. Proverbs 24:31 Literally “a wall of his/its stones”
  5. Proverbs 24:32 Or “mind”

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)

Read full chapter