Proverbs 24:23-34
Legacy Standard Bible
23 These also are (A)sayings of the wise.
To [a](B)show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 He (C)who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
(D)Peoples will curse him, nations will be indignant with him;
25 But (E)to those who reprove the wicked, it will be pleasant,
And a good blessing will come upon them.
26 He kisses the lips
Who responds with right words.
27 Establish your work outside
And (F)make it ready for yourself in the field;
And afterwards, you shall build your house.
28 Do not be a (G)witness against your neighbor without cause,
Nor (H)deceive with your lips.
29 (I)Do not say, “As he did to me so I shall do to him;
I will [b]render to the man according to his work.”
30 I passed by the field of the sluggard
And by the vineyard of the man (J)lacking a heart of wisdom,
31 And behold, it was completely [c](K)overgrown with thistles;
[d](L)Nettles have covered its surface,
And its stone (M)wall has been torn down.
32 And I beheld, I set my heart upon it;
I saw, I received discipline.
33 “(N)A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest,”
34 Then your poverty will come as [e]a robber
And your want like [f]an armed man.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:23 Lit recognize a face
- Proverbs 24:29 Lit bring back
- Proverbs 24:31 Lit gone up
- Proverbs 24:31 A kind of weed
- Proverbs 24:34 Or a vagabond; lit one who walks
- Proverbs 24:34 Lit a man with a shield
Proverbs 24:23-34
International Standard Version
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.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:25 The Heb. lacks the wicked
- Proverbs 24:26 The Heb. lacks deserves
- Proverbs 24:28 Lit. don’t deceive with your lips
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