Proverbs 24:23–34

Further Sayings of the Wise

23 These also are sayings of the wise:r

To show partialitys in judging is not good:t

24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,”u

will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.

25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,

and rich blessing will come on them.

26 An honest answer

is like a kiss on the lips.

27 Put your outdoor work in order

and get your fields ready;

after that, build your house.

28 Do not testify against your neighbor without causev—

would you use your lips to mislead?

29 Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me;

I’ll pay them back for what they did.”w

30 I went past the field of a sluggard,x

past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;

31 thorns had come up everywhere,

the ground was covered with weeds,

and the stone wall was in ruins.

32 I applied my heart to what I observed

and learned a lesson from what I saw:

33 A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the hands to resty—

34 and poverty will come on you like a thief

and scarcity like an armed man.z