Proverbs 24:23-29
Proverbs 24:23-29 The Message (MSG)
It’s wrong, very wrong, to go along with injustice. Whoever whitewashes the wicked gets a black mark in the history books, But whoever exposes the wicked will be thanked and rewarded. An honest answer is like a warm hug. First plant your fields; then build your barn. Don’t talk about your neighbors behind their backs— no slander or gossip, please. Don’t say to anyone, “I’ll get back at you for what you did to me. I’ll make you pay for what you did!”
Proverbs 24:23-29 King James Version (KJV)
These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; Him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, And a good blessing shall come upon them. Every man shall kiss his lips That giveth a right answer. Prepare thy work without, And make it fit for thyself in the field; And afterwards build thine house. Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; And deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
Proverbs 24:23-29 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good. He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him; But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon them. He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer. Prepare your work outside And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house. Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, And do not deceive with your lips. Do not say, “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”
Proverbs 24:23-29 New Century Version (NCV)
These are also sayings of the wise: It is not good to take sides when you are the judge. Don’t tell the wicked that they are innocent; people will curse you, and nations will hate you. But things will go well if you punish the guilty, and you will receive rich blessings. An honest answer is as pleasing as a kiss on the lips. First, finish your outside work and prepare your fields. After that, you can build your house. Don’t testify against your neighbor for no good reason. Don’t say things that are false. Don’t say, “I’ll get even; I’ll do to him what he did to me.”
Proverbs 24:23-29 American Standard Version (ASV)
These also are sayings of the wise. To have respect of persons in judgment is not good. He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous, Peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him; But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, And a good blessing shall come upon them. He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer. Prepare thy work without, And make it ready for thee in the field; And afterwards build thy house. Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; And deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.
Proverbs 24:23-29 New International Version (NIV)
These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good: Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations. But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come on them. An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house. Do not testify against your neighbor without cause— would you use your lips to mislead? Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.”
Proverbs 24:23-29 New King James Version (NKJV)
These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment. He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” Him the people will curse; Nations will abhor him. But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, And a good blessing will come upon them. He who gives a right answer kisses the lips. Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house. Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, For would you deceive with your lips? Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”
Proverbs 24:23-29 Amplified Bible (AMP)
¶These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good. He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” Peoples will curse him, nations will denounce him; But to those [honorable judges] who rebuke the wicked, it will go well with them and they will find delight, And a good blessing will come upon them. He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of people] Who gives a right and straightforward answer. ¶Prepare your work outside And get it ready for yourself in the field; Afterward build your house and establish a home. ¶Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, And do not deceive with your lips [speak neither lies nor half-truths]. [Eph 4:25] Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for his deed.” [Prov 20:22; Matt 5:39, 44; Rom 12:17, 19]
Proverbs 24:23-29 New Living Translation (NLT)
Here are some further sayings of the wise: It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment. A judge who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations. But it will go well for those who convict the guilty; rich blessings will be showered on them. An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship. Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house. Don’t testify against your neighbors without cause; don’t lie about them. And don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me! I’ll get even with them!”
Proverbs 24:23-29 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Those enlightened with wisdom have spoken these proverbs: Judgment must be impartial, for it is always wrong to be swayed by a person’s status. If you say to the guilty, “You are innocent,” the nation will curse you and the people will revile you. But when you convict the guilty, the people will thank you and reward you with favor. Speaking honestly is a sign of true friendship. Go ahead, build your career and give yourself to your work. But if you put me first, you’ll see your family built up! Why would you be a false accuser and slander with your words? Don’t ever spitefully say, “I’ll get even with him! I’ll do to him what he did to me!”
Proverbs 24:23-29 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good. Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations, but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them. Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips. Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.”