Proverbs

²⁴He who says to the wicked, You are righteous and innocent–peoples will curse him, nations will defy and abhor him. ²⁵But to those [upright judges] who rebuke the wicked, it will go well with them and they will find delight, and a good blessing will be upon them. ²⁶He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of men] who give a right answer. ²⁷[Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home. ²⁸Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and deceive not with your lips. [Eph. 4:25.] ²⁹Say not, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for his deed. [Prov. 20:22; Matt. 5:39, 44; Rom. 12:17, 19.] ³⁰I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;