These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.
Parallel translations
- WEB These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.
- KJV These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
- NKJV These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.
- NASB ¶These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.
- NLT Here are some further sayings of the wise: It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
This heading introduces a further collection of sayings of the wise, opening with a warning that showing favoritism in judgment is wrong. Justice must treat all impartially.
Overview
Verse 23 begins an appended section of wisdom sayings, repeating the theme of 24:1ff. that wisdom is a shared treasury. Its first principle is impartiality, echoing the Law's command that judges not favor persons (Lev 19:15; Deut 1:17). Because God himself shows no partiality (Acts 10:34; Rom 2:11), his people are to mirror that fairness, and in Christ the perfect Judge this justice is finally and flawlessly realized.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Prov 28:21To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
- Prov 18:5Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
- Ps 107:43Let him who is wise pay heed to these things and consider the loving devotion of the LORD.
- Jas 3:17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- Lev 19:15You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.
- John 7:24Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.”
- Ps 82:2–4“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
- 2 Chr 19:7And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”
- 1 Tim 5:20–21But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.
- 1 Pet 1:17Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.
- Deut 1:17Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.”
- Deut 16:19Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.
- Prov 1:6by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
- Hos 14:9Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them.
- Eccl 8:1–5Who is like the wise man? Who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom brightens his face, and the sternness of his face is changed.
- Prov 22:17Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—apply your mind to my knowledge—
- Jas 2:4–6have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 24:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.