New Living Translation
Proverbs 24:23
23Here are some further sayings of the wise: It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.
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
21My child, fear the Lord and the king. Don’t associate with rebels, 22for disaster will hit them suddenly. Who knows what punishment will come from the Lord and the king? Here are some further sayings of the wise: It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment. 24A judge who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations. 25But it will go well for those who convict the guilty; rich blessings will be showered on 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 107:43Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord.
- Ecclesiastes 8:1How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness.
- Hosea 14:9Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.
- James 3:17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
- Proverbs 18:5It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.
- Proverbs 28:21Showing partiality is never good, yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.
- Leviticus 19:15“Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.
- Deuteronomy 1:17and impartial in your judgments. Hear the cases of those who are poor as well as those who are rich. Don’t be afraid of anyone’s anger, for the decision you make is God’s decision. Bring me any cases that are too difficult for you, and I will handle them.’
- Deuteronomy 16:19You must never twist justice or show partiality. Never accept a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of the godly.
- 2 Chronicles 19:7Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.”
- Psalms 82:2“How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked? Interlude
- John 7:24Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”
- 1 Timothy 5:20Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.
- James 2:4doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?
- 1 Peter 1:17And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.”
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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