Further Sayings of the Wise

These additional sayings of the wise begin by declaring partiality in judgment evil, pronouncing blessing on those who rebuke the guilty, and likening honest speech to a kiss on the lips. They then commend preparing one's work before building and forbid both false testimony and retaliatory speech toward a neighbor.

T²³hese also are sayings of the wise: ²⁴Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent”— ²⁵but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, ²⁶An honest answer given ²⁷Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; ²⁸Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, ²⁹Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;

The wise observer passes the field and vineyard of the sluggard and sees it overrun with thorns, broken down, and neglected. Taking the lesson to heart, he concludes that a little sleep and folded hands bring poverty and lack like an armed intruder.

³⁰I went past the field of a slacker ³¹Thorns had grown up everywhere, ³²I observed and took it to heart; ³³A little sleep, a little slumber, ³⁴and poverty will come upon you like a robber,