Proverbs 24:23-34

Modern English Version

It is not good to show partiality in judgment.
²⁴ He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
    him the people will curse; nations will abhor him.
²⁵ But to those who rebuke him will be delight,
    and a good blessing will come upon them.

²⁶ Every man will kiss his lips
    that gives a right answer.

²⁷ Prepare your work outside,
    and make it fit for yourself in the field;
    and afterwards build your house.

²⁸ Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,
    and do not deceive with your lips.
²⁹ Do not say, “I will do so to him as he has done to me;
    I will render to the man according to his work.”

³⁰ I went by the field of the slothful,
    and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
³¹ and it was all grown over with thorns,
    and nettles covered its surface,
    and the stone wall was broken down.
³² Then I saw, and considered it;
    I looked on it and received instruction:
³³ Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to sleep,
³⁴ so your poverty will come like a stalker,
    and your need as an armed man.