The one who says to the guilty, ¹  “You are innocent,” ²  peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce ³  him.

biblegateway Pro 24:24

He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous," Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him;

Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent"--people will curse him, and tribes will denounce him;

Whoever says to a guilty person, "You are innocent," will be cursed by people and condemned by nations.

biblegateway Pro 24:24

Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent"—peoples will curse him and nations denounce him.

Whoever says to the wicked, "You are in the right," will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,

bibleoremus Pro 24:24

Whoever says to the wicked, "You are innocent," will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations;

A judge who pronounces the guilty innocent is cursed by nations, and peoples denounce him;

biblegateway Pro 24:24

He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous," Him the people will curse; Nations will abhor him.

He that saith unto the wicked, Thou [art] righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

biblegateway Pro 24:24

The one who says to the guilty, ¹  “You are innocent,” ²  peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce ³  him.

¹ tn The word means “wicked; guilty” or “criminal”; the contrast could be “wicked – righteous” (cf. KJV, ASV, NAB, NASB) or “innocent – guilty” (cf. NIV, TEV, CEV). Since this line follows the statement about showing partiality in judgment, it involves a forensic setting. Thus the statement describes one who calls a guilty person innocent or acquitted.

² tn Or “righteous”; the same Hebrew word may be translated either “innocent” or “righteous” depending on the context.

³ tn The verb means “to be indignant.” It can be used within the range of “have indignation,” meaning “loathe” or “abhor,” or express indignation, meaning “denounce” or “curse.” In this passage, in collocation with the previous term “curse,” the latter is intended (cf. NAB, NIV, NLT).