Wise Justice, Honest Speech, and Diligent Work

24:23 These sayings also are from the wise: To show partiality in judgment is terrible: 24:24 The one who says to the guilty, “You are innocent,” peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him. 24:25 But there will be delight for those who convict the guilty, and a pleasing blessing will come on them. 24:26 Like a kiss on the lips is the one who gives an honest answer. 24:27 Establish your work outside and get your fields ready; afterward build your house. 24:28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your words. 24:29 Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will pay him back according to what he has done.” 24:30 I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of one who lacks wisdom. 24:31 I saw that thorns had grown up all over it, the ground was covered with weeds, and its stone wall was broken down. 24:32 When I saw this, I gave careful consideration to it; I received instruction from what I saw: 24:33 “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to relax, 24:34 and your poverty will come like a bandit, and your need like an armed robber.”

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This passage teaches that judges must not favor anyone, that truth must be spoken plainly, that revenge must be refused, and that laziness ends in loss. The wise learn from what they see and do not ignore the ruin that comes from small acts of neglect.

The sayings begin with justice. It is evil to show partiality in judgment. The guilty must not be called innocent. Such corruption brings public shame, but those who convict the guilty act rightly and receive blessing.

The passage then turns to speech. An honest answer is a good thing. Truthful words are not only correct; they are wholesome and peaceable.

Next comes a lesson about order and prudence. A person should first establish needed work outside, prepare the field, and then build the house. This is wisdom about priorities, not a rule against building homes.

The sayings also forbid false witness and deceitful speech against a neighbor. They further forbid personal revenge. The wise do not answer wrong with wrong.

The final verses give a vivid lesson from a sluggard’s field. Neglect left the vineyard covered with thorns and weeds, with its wall broken down. From this the teacher learned that a little sleep and a little slumber can lead to poverty and need. Small laziness can grow into serious loss.

• Partiality in judgment is wrong.
• The guilty must not be declared innocent.
• Truthful speech is good and fitting.
• Wisdom calls for right priorities in work and household life.
• False witness and deceit against a neighbor are forbidden.
• Personal revenge is not the way of the wise.
• Neglect and laziness lead to ruin.
• Small indulgences in sloth can end in poverty.

• Do not show partiality in judgment.
• Do not declare the guilty innocent.
• Do not bear false witness against your neighbor.
• Do not deceive with your words.
• Do not say, 'I will do to him just as he has done to me.'
• Establish your work outside first, and prepare your field before building your house.
• Learn from the sluggard’s field and do not give yourself to sloth.

This passage belongs to the wisdom teaching of Israel. It shows God’s moral order in public justice, honest speech, restraint from revenge, and faithful work. It also fits the Bible’s wider hope for righteous rule and truthful life among God’s people.

Believers should judge fairly, speak truthfully, and refuse to return evil for evil. They should also work diligently, keep good order in their responsibilities, and beware of small habits of laziness that can grow into serious harm.

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