Proverbs 24:23–34

A Little Sleep, and Poverty Comes Marching

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Proverbs is read here in the order of the Greek text: chapters 1–24:22, then 30:1–14, 24:23–34, 30:15–33, 31:1–9, chapters 25–29, and 31:10–31.

24:23These things I say to you, the wise, to recognize:
to show deference to a face in judgment is not good;

24:24One who says of the impious, “He is righteous,”
will be accursed among peoples and hated among nations;

24:25but those who reprove will appear better,
and a good blessing will come upon them;

24:26and lips answering good words will kiss.

24:27Prepare your works for going out,
and make yourself ready for the field,
and go behind me,
and you will rebuild your house.

24:28Do not be a false witness against your fellow citizen,
and do not make your lips wide;

24:29Do not say, “As he treated me, I will treat him,
and I will punish him for what he wronged me.”

24:30A foolish man is like a cultivated field,
and a person lacking understanding like a vineyard;

24:31if you leave him alone, he will become wasteland,
and grow wild with grass all over and become abandoned,
and his stone fences are torn down.

24:32Afterward I reconsidered;
I looked so as to choose discipline.

24:33“A little I doze, a little I sleep,
a little I clasp my chest with my hands”—

24:34but if you do this, your poverty will come marching in front,
and your want like a good runner.

← Proverbs 30  ·  Proverbs: all chapters  ·  Proverbs 30:15–33 →

Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.