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
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
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
