Proverbs 24:24

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

Ex 23:6,7; Pr 11:26; Pr 17:15; Pr 28:27; Pr 30:10; Isa 5:20,23; Isa 66:24; Jer 6:13,14; Jer 8:10,11; Eze 13:22

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).