These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
Parallel translations
- WEB These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.
- BSB These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.
- 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 have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
- Prov 18:5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
- Ps 107:43Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
- Jas 3:17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
- Lev 19:15Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
- John 7:24Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
- Ps 82:2–4How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
- 2 Chr 19:7Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
- 1 Tim 5:20–21Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
- 1 Pet 1:17And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
- Deut 1:17Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.
- Deut 16:19Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
- Prov 1:6To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
- Hos 14:9Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
- Eccl 8:1–5Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.
- Prov 22:17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
- Jas 2:4–6Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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
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