Proverbs 24:23-34

23 These also are ¹sayings of the wise. To ²show partiality * in judgment is not good.

24 He ³who says to the wicked, "You are righteous," ⁴Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him;

25 But ⁵to 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 ⁶make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house.

28 Do not be a ⁷witness against your neighbor without cause, And ⁸do not deceive with your lips.

29 ⁹Do not say, "Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."

30 I passed by the field of the sluggard And by the vineyard of the man ¹⁰lacking sense,

31 And behold, it was completely ¹¹overgrown with thistles; Its surface was covered with ¹²nettles, And its stone ¹³wall was broken down.

32 When I saw, I reflected * upon it; I looked, and received instruction.

33 "¹⁴A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest,"

34 Then your poverty will come as a robber And your want like an armed man.

Proverbs 24:23-34 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 12

This chapter relates Rehoboam's going to Shechem to be made king, and Jeroboam's return from Egypt, 1Ki 12:1,2, the people's request to Rehoboam to be eased of their taxes, as the condition of making him king, 1Ki 12:3,4, his answer to them, after three days, having had the advice both of the old and young men, which latter he followed, and gave in a rough answer, 1Ki 12:5-15, upon which ten tribes revolted from him, and two abode by him, 1Ki 12:16-20, wherefore he meditated a war against the ten tribes, but was forbid by the Lord to engage in it, 1Ki 12:21-24 and Jeroboam, in order to establish his kingdom, and preserve the people from a revolt to the house of David, because of the temple worship at Jerusalem, devised a scheme of idolatrous worship in his own territories, 1Ki 12:25-33.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 1:6; Proverbs 22:17
• 2. Proverbs 18:5; Proverbs 28:21
• 3. Proverbs 17:15; Isaiah 5:23
• 4. Proverbs 11:26
• 5. Proverbs 28:23
• 6. Proverbs 27:23-27
• 7. Proverbs 25:18
• 8. Leviticus 6:2, 3; Leviticus 19:11; Ephesians 4:25
• 9. Proverbs 20:22; Matthew 5:39; Romans 12:17
• 10. Proverbs 6:32
• 11. Genesis 3:18
• 12. Job 30:7
• 13. Isaiah 5:5
• 14. Proverbs 6:10

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "regard the face"
• [b]. Or "an honest"
• [c]. Lit "bring back"
• [d]. Lit "heart"
• [e]. I.e. a kind of weed
• [f]. Lit "set my heart"
• [g]. Or "a vagabond;" lit "one who walks"
• [h]. Lit "a man with a shield"