23 These sayings also belong to the wise:(A)
It is not good to show partiality in judgment.(B)
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent”(C)
peoples will curse him,(D) and nations will denounce him;
25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
and a generous blessing will come to them.

26 He who gives an honest answer
gives a kiss on the lips.

27 Complete your outdoor work, and prepare your field;(E)
afterward, build your house.

28 Don’t testify against your neighbor without cause.(F)
Don’t deceive with your lips.
29 Don’t say, “I’ll do to him what he did to me;
I’ll repay the man for what he has done.”(G)

30 I went by the field of a slacker
and by the vineyard of one lacking sense.
31 Thistles had come up everywhere,
weeds covered the ground,(H)
and the stone wall was ruined.
32 I saw, and took it to heart;
I looked, and received instruction:
33 a little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the arms to rest,
34 and your poverty will come like a robber,
and your need, like a bandit.(I)

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Sayings of the Wise

23 Here are some more proverbs from wise people:

It isn’t good to show partiality in judgment.
24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You’re in the right,”
        will be cursed by people and hated by nations.
25 But as for people who rebuke the wicked;[a]
    a good blessing will fall upon them.

26 A kiss on the lips—
    that’s what someone who gives an honest answer deserves.[b]

27 First do your outside work,
    preparing your land for yourself.
        After that, build your house.

28 Don’t testify against your neighbor without a cause,
    and don’t lie when you speak.[c]
29 Don’t say, “I’ll do to him like he did to me,
    I’ll be sure to pay him back for what he did.”

30 I went by the field belonging to a lazy man,
    by a vineyard belonging to a senseless person.
31 There it was, overgrown with thistles,
    the ground covered with thorns,
        its stone wall collapsed.
32 As I observed, I thought about it;
    I watched, and learned a lesson:
33 “A little sleep! A little slumber!
    A little folding of my hands to rest!”
34 Then your poverty will come upon you like a robber,
    your need like an armed bandit.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:25 The Heb. lacks the wicked
  2. Proverbs 24:26 The Heb. lacks deserves
  3. Proverbs 24:28 Lit. don’t deceive with your lips