Proverbs 24:23-34
Amplified Bible
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.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:27 Establishing your priorities and proceeding in an orderly manner brings its own reward.
- Proverbs 24:28 I.e. anyone who comes into your life, not necessarily one who lives nearby.
Proverbs 24:23-34
New American Standard Bible
23 These also are (A)sayings of the wise:
To [a](B)show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 One (C)who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
(D)Peoples will curse him, nations will scold him;
25 But (E)for those who rebuke the wicked there will be delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.
26 One who gives [b]a right answer
Kisses the lips.
27 Prepare your work outside,
And (F)make it ready for yourself in the field;
Afterward, then, build your house.
28 Do not be a (G)witness against your neighbor for no reason,
And (H)do not deceive with your lips.
29 (I)Do not say, “I shall do the same to him as he has done to me;
I will [c]repay the person according to his work.”
30 I passed by the field of [d]a lazy one,
And by the vineyard of a person (J)lacking [e]sense,
31 And behold, it was completely (K)overgrown with weeds;
Its surface was covered with (L)weeds,
And its stone (M)wall was broken down.
32 When I saw, I [f]reflected upon it;
I looked, and received instruction.
33 “(N)A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest,”
34 Then your poverty will come like [g]a drifter,
And your need like [h]an armed man.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:23 Lit regard the face
- Proverbs 24:26 Or an honest
- Proverbs 24:29 Lit bring back
- Proverbs 24:30 Lit an idle
- Proverbs 24:30 Lit heart
- Proverbs 24:32 Lit set my heart
- Proverbs 24:34 Lit one who moves about
- Proverbs 24:34 Lit a man with a shield
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New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.