Proverbs 24:23

Proverbs 24:23, in plain English

Here the writer shifts to a new section of sayings about justice, starting with this fundamental principle: if you're a judge or decision-maker, you can't play favorites—it corrupts everything.

Why it's here

This opens a new collection ('These also are sayings of the wise') focused specifically on justice and fairness. In ancient courts, wealthy or powerful people could pressure judges to rule in their favor. The writer is calling out something he saw constantly—justice twisted because someone had connections or money.

Who's speaking

The wise teachers, now addressing their words about how justice should actually work.

Where it sits in the story

This sits at the heart of what God cares about throughout Scripture—from the Law's repeated insistence that you treat rich and poor the same, to the prophets' fury at corrupt judges, to Jesus's constant preference for the vulnerable.

The scholarly reading

The text now shifts to a second collection of wise sayings, focusing on judicial corruption: showing favoritism in legal judgment violates the fundamental order of justice.

Language and setting

Verse 23 marks a structural transition—the superscription 'these also are sayings of the wise' (גַּם־אֵלֶּה לַחֲכָמִים) indicates we're entering a new compilation unit within Proverbs, likely reflecting a distinct circle of sages. The concern with partiality (נָשִׂיא פָנִים) in judgment addresses a persistent problem in ancient courts where patronage networks corrupted verdicts. The gate-keepers and elders who administered justice faced constant pressure from the powerful.

Voice

A compilation of wise observations, possibly from the court circles of Judah, collected and preserved as authoritative instruction.

Significance

This advances the biblical insistence that God cares about legal justice for the vulnerable—a theme running from the covenant laws through the prophets (Amos 5:24, Isa. 1:17) into Jesus's condemnation of the Pharisees for binding heavy burdens while neglecting justice.

21My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.

22For they will bring sudden destruction. Who knows what ruin they can bring?

23These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.

24Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent”— peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him;

25but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them.

Read all of Proverbs 24 — If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength. Wisdom builds a house; by understanding it is established.