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22 For disaster will strike them suddenly,
    and who knows what ruin will afflict them and their friends?[a]

Other Sayings of the Wise[b]

23 [c]These also are sayings of the wise:

To show partiality in judgment
    is an invidious act.
24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”
    will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:22

    After this verse, the Greek text adds five verses as follows:

    22aA son who keeps the commandment will escape destruction,

    for he embraced it willingly.

    22bLet no falsehood be spoken by the tongue of the king,

    yes, let no falsehood proceed from his tongue.

    22cThe king’s tongue is a sword, not some fleshly thing,

    and whoever is handed up to him will be crushed.

    22dFor if his wrath is provoked,

    he destroys men with all their sinews.

    22eHe devours men’s bones

    and like a flame burns them up,

    so that they are not even fit to be eaten by young eagles.

    The Greek text then appends here chapter 30:1-14.

  2. Proverbs 24:23 This is a brief appendix written in the same style and spirit as the preceding collection.
  3. Proverbs 24:23 To the ancient counsels on respect for justice in trials and on prudence, a new one is added: evil must not be done (see Mt 16:12, 14-15).