Proverbs 24:23-34
English Standard Version
More Sayings of the Wise
23 These also are sayings of (A)the wise.
(B)Partiality in judging is not good.
24 Whoever (C)says to the wicked, “You are in the right,”
(D)will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
and a good blessing will come upon them.
26 Whoever gives an honest answer
kisses the lips.
27 (E)Prepare your work outside;
get everything ready for yourself in the field,
and after that build your house.
28 (F)Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause,
and do not deceive with your lips.
29 Do not say, (G)“I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will pay the man back for what he has done.”
30 (H)I passed by the field of a sluggard,
by the vineyard of a man (I)lacking sense,
31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;
the ground was covered with nettles,
and its stone (J)wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw and (K)considered it;
I looked and received instruction.
33 (L)A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.
Proverbs 24:23-34
Common English Bible
More sayings of the wise
23 These are also the sayings of the wise:
Partiality in judgment isn’t good.
24 Those who say to the guilty, “You are innocent”—
the people will curse them.
Nations will condemn them.
25 But it will go well for those who rebuke them.
A rich blessing will come to them.
26 Those who speak honestly
are like those who kiss on the lips.
27 Get your outside work done;
make preparations in the field;
then you can build your house.
28 Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without reason;
don’t deceive with your lips.
29 Don’t say, “I’ll do to them what they did to me.
I’ll pay them back for their actions.”
30 I happened upon the field of a lazy person,
by the vineyard of one with no sense.
31 Thorns grew all over it;
weeds covered the ground,
and the stone wall was falling down.
32 I observed this and took it to heart;
I saw it and learned a lesson.
33 “A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little lying down with folded arms”—
34 and poverty will come on you like a prowler,
deprivation like a man with a shield.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible