God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 24:23
23These also are the sayings of wise people: Showing partiality as a judge is not good.
Proverbs 24:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
- New International Version (NIV)These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good:
- English Standard Version (ESV)These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.
- New King James Version (NKJV)These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.
Context of Proverbs 24:23
21Fear the Lord, my son. Fear the king as well. Do not associate with those who always insist upon change, 22because disaster will come to them suddenly. Who knows what misery both may bring? These also are the sayings of wise people: Showing partiality as a judge is not good. 24Whoever says to a guilty person, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by people and condemned by nations. 25But people will be pleased with those who convict a guilty person, and a great blessing will come to them.
Read all of Proverbs 24Proverbs 24:23 word by word
גַּם־אֵ֥לֶּה לַֽחֲכָמִ֑ים הַֽכֵּר־פָּנִ֖ים בְּמִשְׁפָּ֣ט בַּל־טֽוֹב׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 24:23
- Psalms 107:43Let those who ⌞think⌟ they are wise pay attention to these things so that they may understand the Lord’s blessings.
- Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is really wise? Who knows how to explain things? Wisdom makes one’s face shine, and it changes one’s grim look.
- Hosea 14:9Wise people will understand these things. A person with insight will recognize them. The Lord’s ways are right. Righteous people live by them. Rebellious people stumble over them.
- James 3:17However, the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure. Then it is peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good deeds, impartial, and sincere.
- Proverbs 18:5It is not good to be partial toward a wicked person, thereby depriving an innocent person of justice.
- Proverbs 28:21Showing partiality is not good, because some people will turn on you even for a piece of bread.
- Leviticus 19:15“Don’t be corrupt when administering justice. Never give special favors to poor people, and never show preference to important people. Judge your neighbor fairly.
- Deuteronomy 1:17Be impartial in your decisions. Listen to the least important people the same way you listen to the most important people. Never be afraid of anyone, since your decisions come from God. You may bring me any case that’s too hard for you, and I will hear it.”
- Deuteronomy 16:19Never pervert justice. Instead, be impartial. Never take a bribe, because bribes blind wise people and deny justice to those who are in the right.
- 2 Chronicles 19:7May you have the fear of the Lord in you. Be careful about what you do. The Lord our God is never unjust. He is impartial and never takes bribes.”
- Psalms 82:2“How long are you going to judge unfairly? How long are you going to side with wicked people?” Selah
- John 7:24Stop judging by outward appearance! Instead, judge correctly.”
- 1 Timothy 5:20Reprimand those leaders who sin. Do it in front of everyone so that the other leaders will also be afraid.
- James 2:4Aren’t you discriminating against people and using a corrupt standard to make judgments?
- 1 Peter 1:17So if you call God your Father, live your time as temporary residents on earth in fear. He is the God who judges all people by what they have done, and he doesn’t play favorites.
Commentaries on Proverbs 24:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23These things also belong to the wise - לחכמים אלה גם gam elleh lachachamim, "These also to wise." This appears to be a new section; and perhaps, what follows belongs to another collection. Probably fragments of sayings collected by wise men from the Proverbs of Solomon. It is not good to have respect - Judgment and justice should never be perverted.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Belong to the wise - Either “are fitting for the wise, addressed to them,” or (as in the superscriptions of many of the Psalms) “are written by the wise.” Most recent commentators take it in the latter sense, and look on it as indicating the beginning of a fresh section, containing proverbs not ascribed to Solomon‘s authorship. Compare the introduction to Proverbs.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23-26Verses 23-26 The wisdom God giveth, renders a man fit for his station. Every one who finds the benefit of the right answer, will be attached to him that gave it.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23-25Saying 1: Wise people make fair judgments (see Proverbs 6:19; 12:17; 19:28; 24:28–29; 25:18).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. These ... wise--literally, "are of the wise," as authors (compare "Psalms of David," Hebrew). "These" refers to the verses following, Pr 24:24-34. to have respect--literally, "to discern faces," show partiality,Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 24:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 24
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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