Proverbs 24:23–28
23 These also are sayings of athe wise.
bPartiality in judging is not good.
24 Whoever csays to the wicked, “You are in the right,”
dwill 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 ePrepare your work outside;
get everything ready for yourself in the field,
and after that build your house.
28 fBe not a witness against your neighbor without cause,
and do not deceive with your lips.
Proverbs 24:23–28 — The New International Version (NIV)
23 These also are sayings of the wise:
To show partiality in judging is not good:
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,”
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 cause—
would you use your lips to mislead?
Proverbs 24:23–28 — King James Version (KJV 1900)
23 These things also belong to the wise.
It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous;
Him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight,
And a good blessing shall come upon them.
26 Every man shall kiss his lips
That giveth a right answer.
27 Prepare thy work without,
And make it fit for thyself in the field;
And afterwards build thine house.
28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause;
And deceive not with thy lips.
Proverbs 24:23–28 — New Living Translation (NLT)
23 Here are some further sayings of the wise:
It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.
24 A judge who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”
will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations.
25 But it will go well for those who convict the guilty;
rich blessings will be showered on them.
26 An honest answer
is like a kiss of friendship.
27 Do your planning and prepare your fields
before building your house.
28 Don’t testify against your neighbors without cause;
don’t lie about them.
Proverbs 24:23–28 — The New King James Version (NKJV)
23 These things also belong to the wise:
It is not good to show partiality in judgment.
24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
Him the people will curse;
Nations will abhor him.
25 But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.
26 He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.
27 Prepare your outside work,
Make it fit for yourself in the field;
And afterward build your house.
28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,
For would you deceive with your lips?
Proverbs 24:23–28 — New Century Version (NCV)
23 These are also sayings of the wise:
It is not good to take sides when you are the judge.
24 Don’t tell the wicked that they are innocent;
people will curse you, and nations will hate you.
25 But things will go well if you punish the guilty,
and you will receive rich blessings.
26 An honest answer is as pleasing
as a kiss on the lips.
27 First, finish your outside work
and prepare your fields.
After that, you can build your house.
28 Don’t testify against your neighbor for no good reason.
Don’t say things that are false.
Proverbs 24:23–28 — American Standard Version (ASV)
23 These also are sayings of the wise.
To have respect of persons in judgment is not good.
24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous,
Peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him;
25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight,
And a good blessing shall come upon them.
26 He kisseth the lips
Who giveth a right answer.
27 Prepare thy work without,
And make it ready for thee in the field;
And afterwards build thy house.
28 Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause;
And deceive not with thy lips.
Proverbs 24:23–28 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)
23 These things also come from the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. 24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous, peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him; 25 but to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing cometh upon them. 26 He kisseth the lips who giveth a right answer.
27 Prepare thy work without, and put thy field in order, and afterwards build thy house.
28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and wouldest thou deceive with thy lips?
Proverbs 24:23–28 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
23 These also are the sayings of wise people:
Showing partiality as a judge is not good.
24 Whoever says to a guilty person, “You are innocent,”
will be cursed by people and condemned by nations.
25 But people will be pleased with those who convict a guilty person,
and a great blessing will come to them.
26 Giving a straight answer is ⸤like⸥ a kiss on the lips.
27 Prepare your work outside, and get things ready for yourself in the field.
Afterwards, build your house.
28 Do not testify against your neighbor without a reason,
and do not deceive with your lips.
Proverbs 24:23–28 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
23 These sayings also belong to the wise:
It is not good to show partiality in judgment.
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent” —
people will curse him, and tribes will denounce him;
25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
and a generous blessing will come to them.
26 He who gives an honest answer
gives a kiss on the lips.
27 Complete your outdoor work, and prepare your field;
afterward, build your house.
28 Don’t testify against your neighbor without cause.
Don’t deceive with your lips.
Proverbs 24:23–28 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
23 These also are sayings of the wise:
Partiality in judging is not good.
24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”
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 One who gives an honest answer
gives a kiss on the lips.
27 Prepare your work outside,
get everything ready for you in the field;
and after that build your house.
28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,
and do not deceive with your lips.
Proverbs 24:23–28 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)
23 These sayings are also for the wise:
Partiality in judgment is not good.
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are righteous,” the people will curse him;
the nations will abhor him.
25 But they who rebuke will have delight,
and upon them blessings of goodness will come.
26 He will kiss the lips,
he who gives an honest answer.
27 Prepare your work in the street and get it ready for yourself in the field;
afterward, then you shall build your house.
28 Do not be a witness without cause against your neighbor
nor deceive with your lips.
Proverbs 24:23–28 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)
23 Here are more sayings of those who are wise.
Taking sides in court is not good.
24 A curse will fall on those who say the guilty are not guilty.
Nations will call down curses on them.
People will speak against them.
25 But it will go well with those who sentence guilty people.
Rich blessings will come to them.
26 An honest answer
is like a kiss on the lips.
27 Finish your outdoor work.
Get your fields ready.
After that, build your house.
28 Don’t give witness against your neighbor without any reason.
Don’t use your lips to tell lies.
Proverbs 24:23–28 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)
23 These also are sayings of the wise.
To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him;
25 But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.
26 He kisses the lips
Who gives a right answer.
27 Prepare your work outside
And make it ready for yourself in the field;
Afterwards, then, build your house.
28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,
And do not deceive with your lips.