Read & explore together
Further Sayings of the Wise
These sayings move through fairness, truthful speech, wise priorities and the danger of laziness. The passage teaches by short proverbs and then by an observed example, so readers can notice both direct instruction and a lesson drawn from what was seen.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage presents “sayings of the wise” and keeps to wisdom teaching. It begins with justice in judgement, turns to honest speech and ordered work, warns against false witness and revenge, then ends with an observation about a neglected field that becomes a lesson about sloth and poverty.
Proverbs 24:23–34Main takeaway
This passage teaches that wisdom shows itself in fair judgement, truthful words, proper priorities and diligent work.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Fair judgement mattersThe passage begins by saying partiality in judgement is not good. It then contrasts two responses to the guilty.
Explanation
The passage begins by saying partiality in judgement is not good. It then contrasts two responses to the guilty. Calling the wicked righteous brings public rejection, while convicting the guilty brings good and blessing. The focus is not harshness for its own sake, but honesty and fairness when judging what is right and wrong.
02Truthful words and right orderAn honest answer is praised as something close and welcome, “like a kiss on the lips”. Then the saying about field and house gives an order of priorities: prepare outside work and fields first, then build the house.
Explanation
An honest answer is praised as something close and welcome, “like a kiss on the lips”. Then the saying about field and house gives an order of priorities: prepare outside work and fields first, then build the house. Wisdom here includes both truthful speech and practical planning.
03Do not lie or repay evilThe next sayings warn against speaking as a witness without cause and against deceiving with the lips.
Explanation
The next sayings warn against speaking as a witness without cause and against deceiving with the lips. They also forbid personal revenge: “I will repay the man”. The passage does not praise getting even. Instead, it warns against false accusation and against making retaliation your answer.
04A field that teaches a lessonThe final part describes the field of a sluggard and vineyard of one lacking understanding.
Explanation
The final part describes the field of a sluggard and vineyard of one lacking understanding. Thorns, nettles and a broken wall show neglect. The observer says he considered it and received instruction. The lesson is that small amounts of extra sleep and folded hands lead on to poverty and want.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What contrast does the passage make between excusing the wicked and convicting the guilty?
Look at the different outcomes in the text: one brings cursing and abhorrence, while the other brings good and blessing.
02Why might the saying about preparing fields before building a house be placed beside sayings about honest speech?
Both sayings describe wisdom in everyday life, showing that wise living includes both truthful words and sensible priorities.
03What exactly did the observer learn from the neglected field?
Follow the description of the overgrown field and then the stated conclusion about sleep, poverty and want.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Proverbs 24:23–34
23These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—
25but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.
26An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
27Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
28Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.
29Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”
30I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding.
31Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
32Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
33a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,
34so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.