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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 24:27 Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/24-27.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/20_Pro_24_27.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 24:27 - Further Sayings of the Wise" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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after that, build your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/24.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/24.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/24.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/24.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Prepare your work outside, And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterward, then, build your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/24.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Prepare your work outside And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Prepare your work outside, And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Establish your work outside And make it ready for yourself in the field; And afterwards, you shall build your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Prepare your work outside And get it ready for yourself in the field; Afterward build your house <i>and</i> establish a home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Complete your outdoor work, and prepare your field; afterward, build your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Complete your outdoor work, and prepare your field; afterward, build your house. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/24.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Prepare thy work without, And make it ready for thee in the field; And afterwards build thy house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Get your fields ready and plant your crops before starting a home. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/24.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Prepare thy work without, and make it ready for thee in the field; and afterwards build thine house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Prepare your work outside, and get things ready for yourself in the field. Afterwards, build your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/24.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Don't build your house and establish a home until your fields are ready, and you are sure that you can earn a living. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/24.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />First do your outside work, preparing your land for yourself. After that, build your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/24.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Establish your work outside and get your fields ready; afterward build your house. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thy house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/24.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/24.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Prepare your work in an out-place, "" And make it ready in the field—go afterward, "" Then you have built your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Prepare in an out-place thy work, And make it ready in the field -- go afterwards, Then thou hast built thy house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Prepare thy work without, and make it ready for thee in the field afterwards; and build thy house.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Prepare thy work without, and diligently till thy ground: that afterward thou mayst build thy house. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Prepare your outdoor work, and diligently cultivate your field, so that afterward, you may build your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/24.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Complete your outdoor tasks, and arrange your work in the field; afterward you can build your house. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Prepare your work outside, get everything ready for you in the field; and after that build your house.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Prepare your work out of doors, and make it ready in the field; and afterwards build your house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/24.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Prepare your works in the outdoors and make ready in your field, and after that build your house.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/24.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Prepare thy work without, And make it fit for thyself in the field; And afterwards build thy house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/24.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Prepare thy works for <i>thy</i> going forth, and prepare thyself for the field; and come after me, and thou shalt rebuild thine house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/24-27.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=5010" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/24.htm">Further Sayings of the Wise</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">26</span>An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips. <span class="reftext">27</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3559.htm" title="3559: hā·ḵên (V-Hifil-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to be erect; hence to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal, or figurative.">Complete</a> <a href="/hebrew/2351.htm" title="2351: ba·ḥūṣ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- The outside, a street. Or chuts; from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by a wall, i.e. Outside, outdoors.">your outdoor</a> <a href="/hebrew/4399.htm" title="4399: mə·laḵ·te·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- From the same as mal'ak; properly, deputyship, i.e. Ministry; generally, employment or work; also property.">work</a> <a href="/hebrew/6257.htm" title="6257: wə·‘at·tə·ḏāh (Conj-w:: V-Piel-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To be ready. A primitive root; to prepare.">and prepare</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: baś·śā·ḏeh (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">your field;</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥar (Adv) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">after that,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: ū·ḇā·nî·ṯā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">you may build</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ḇê·ṯe·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">your house.</a> </span><span class="reftext">28</span>Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-28.htm">Luke 14:28-30</a></span><br />Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? / Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, / saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a></span><br />But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-40.htm">1 Corinthians 14:40</a></span><br />But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:1</a></span><br />To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-8.htm">1 Timothy 5:8</a></span><br />If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-34.htm">Genesis 41:34-36</a></span><br />Let Pharaoh take action and appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. / Under the authority of Pharaoh, let them collect all the excess food from these good years, that they may come and lay up the grain to be preserved as food in the cities. / This food will be a reserve for the land during the seven years of famine to come upon the land of Egypt. Then the country will not perish in the famine.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/3-10.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:10</a></span><br />For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/4-17.htm">Nehemiah 4:17-18</a></span><br />who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. / And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22-25</a></span><br />Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/5-17.htm">1 Kings 5:17-18</a></span><br />And the king commanded them to quarry large, costly stones to lay the foundation of the temple with dressed stones. / So Solomon’s and Hiram’s builders, along with the Gebalites, quarried the stone and prepared the timber and stone for the construction of the temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-23.htm">Colossians 3:23-24</a></span><br />Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/18-19.htm">Exodus 18:19-23</a></span><br />Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their causes to Him. / Teach them the statutes and laws, and show them the way to live and the work they must do. / Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/8-11.htm">2 Corinthians 8:11</a></span><br />Now finish the work, so that you may complete it with the same eager desire, according to your means.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/6-14.htm">Genesis 6:14-16</a></span><br />Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark and coat it with pitch inside and out. / And this is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high. / You are to make a roof for the ark, finish its walls a cubit from the top, place a door in the side of the ark, and build lower, middle, and upper decks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-12.htm">Philippians 2:12-13</a></span><br />Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. / For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Prepare your work without, and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/5-17.htm">1 Kings 5:17,18</a></b></br> And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, <i>and</i> hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/6-7.htm">1 Kings 6:7</a></b></br> And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe <i>nor</i> any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/14-28.htm">Luke 14:28-30</a></b></br> For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have <i>sufficient</i> to finish <i>it</i>? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/20-17.htm">Afterwards</a> <a href="/psalms/147-2.htm">Build</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-3.htm">Built</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-23.htm">Field</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-15.htm">Fields</a> <a href="/psalms/90-9.htm">Finish</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-7.htm">Fit</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-15.htm">House</a> <a href="/psalms/148-5.htm">Order</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-12.htm">Out-Place</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-7.htm">Outside</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-18.htm">Prepare</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-11.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-21.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-12.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/28-23.htm">Afterwards</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-3.htm">Build</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-4.htm">Built</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-30.htm">Field</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-9.htm">Fields</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-1.htm">Finish</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-11.htm">Fit</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-17.htm">House</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-2.htm">Order</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-21.htm">Out-Place</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-18.htm">Outside</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-25.htm">Prepare</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-12.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-6.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-29.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 24</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/24-1.htm">Precepts and Warnings</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/24.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/24.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Complete your outdoor work</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the importance of prioritizing tasks and responsibilities. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, outdoor work often referred to agricultural activities, which were crucial for survival. The Bible frequently uses agricultural metaphors to convey spiritual truths, as seen in passages like <a href="/matthew/13-3.htm">Matthew 13:3-9</a>, where Jesus speaks of the sower and the seeds. The emphasis here is on diligence and the necessity of ensuring that foundational tasks are completed before moving on to other endeavors. This principle can be applied to spiritual life, where foundational spiritual disciplines should be established before pursuing other ministries or callings.<p><b>and prepare your field;</b><br>Preparing the field involves plowing, sowing, and ensuring that the land is ready for planting. This preparation is a metaphor for laying the groundwork in any endeavor, whether it be spiritual, personal, or professional. In biblical times, preparing the field was a labor-intensive process that required foresight and planning. This concept is echoed in <a href="/luke/14-28.htm">Luke 14:28-30</a>, where Jesus speaks about counting the cost before building a tower. The preparation of the field can also be seen as a type of Christ, who prepared the way for salvation through His life and ministry, ensuring that the groundwork was laid for the growth of the Kingdom of God.<p><b>after that, you may build your house.</b><br>Building a house represents establishing a stable and secure life. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, building a house was a significant undertaking that symbolized permanence and legacy. The sequence of events in this proverb underscores the importance of having a solid foundation before embarking on more complex projects. This mirrors the teaching of Jesus in <a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">Matthew 7:24-27</a>, where He compares those who hear His words and act on them to a wise man who built his house on the rock. The house, in this sense, can also be seen as a metaphor for one's life or spiritual state, which should be built on the firm foundation of Christ and His teachings.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He compiled these sayings to impart practical wisdom and guidance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context of this proverb is ancient Israel, where agriculture was a primary occupation, and the society was agrarian.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/agricultural_practices.htm">Agricultural Practices</a></b><br>The proverb references the common practice of prioritizing fieldwork and ensuring a stable food supply before focusing on building a home.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/prioritize_wisely.htm">Prioritize Wisely</a></b><br>The proverb teaches the importance of setting priorities. In life, certain tasks must be completed before others to ensure stability and success.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/plan_for_the_future.htm">Plan for the Future</a></b><br>Just as a farmer prepares the field before building a house, we should plan and prepare for future needs, ensuring that foundational aspects of life are secure.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/diligence_in_work.htm">Diligence in Work</a></b><br>The verse encourages diligence and hard work. Completing outdoor work first ensures that basic needs are met, reflecting a disciplined approach to responsibilities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_preparation.htm">Spiritual Preparation</a></b><br>Beyond physical preparation, this principle can be applied spiritually. We should cultivate our spiritual lives and relationship with God before focusing on external achievements.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/balance_in_life.htm">Balance in Life</a></b><br>The proverb suggests a balance between work and personal life. By prioritizing essential tasks, we can create a stable environment for personal and family growth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_24.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 24</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_prov._24_27_conflict_with_archaeology.htm">Proverbs 24:27: Does the instruction to “finish your outdoor work” before building a house conflict with archaeological evidence of ancient settlement patterns?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/when_should_one_get_married.htm">When should one get married?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_ideal_age_to_marry.htm">What is the ideal age to marry?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_saving.htm">What does the Bible say about saving money?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/24.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(27) <span class= "bld">Prepare thy work without </span>. . .--Method in work is here advised; first till the ground, and then build the house which will be maintained by the produce of the field. In the spiritual life, too, we should seek to "perceive and know what things we ought to do," if we are not to waste time and energy upon unsuitable and unattainable objects.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 27.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Prepare thy work without.</span> The proverb enjoins a man to look well to his resources before he undertakes to build a house or to establish a family. "Without" (<span class="accented">chuts</span>) (<a href="/proverbs/7-12.htm">Proverbs 7:12</a>; <a href="/proverbs/8-26.htm">Proverbs 8:26</a>); in the fields. Put in due order all immediate work in thy farm. <span class="cmt_word">And make it fit for thyself in the field;</span> and get ready for what has to come next. That is, in short, steadily and with due foresight cultivate your land; provide abundant means of subsistence before you attempt to build up your house. A suitor had, as it were, to purchase his bride from her relations by making considerable presents; it was therefore necessary to provide a certain amount of wealth before contemplating matrimony. <span class="cmt_word">And afterwards build thy house.</span> This is, indeed, the meaning of the passage; but the Hebrew makes a difficulty, as it is literally, "afterwards and thou shalt build." Some have supposed that some words have dropped out of the text (Cheyne, 'Job and Solomon'). But <span class="accented">vav</span> in <span class="hebrew">וּבָנִיתָ</span>, coming after a date or notification of time, as here after <span class="hebrew">אַהַר</span> (comp. <a href="/genesis/3-5.htm">Genesis 3:5</a>), "has the future signification of a perfect consecutive" (Delitzsch), equivalent to "after that, then, thou mayest build." Septuagint, "Prepare thy works for thy going forth (<span class="greek">εἰς τη,ν ἔξοδον</span>), and get ready for the field, and come after me, and thou shalt build up thine house." In a spiritual sense, the heart must be first cleared of thorns, and opened to genial influences, before the man can build up the fabric of virtuous habits, and thus arrive at the virtuous character. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/24-27.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Complete</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֘כֵ֤ן</span> <span class="translit">(hā·ḵên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3559.htm">Strong's 3559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be erect</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your outdoor</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּח֨וּץ ׀</span> <span class="translit">(ba·ḥūṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2351.htm">Strong's 2351: </a> </span><span class="str2">Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors</span><br /><br /><span class="word">work,</span><br /><span class="heb">מְלַאכְתֶּ֗ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(mə·laḵ·te·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4399.htm">Strong's 4399: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and prepare</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַתְּדָ֣הּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘at·tə·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6257.htm">Strong's 6257: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be ready</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your field;</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּשָּׂדֶ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(baś·śā·ḏeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> </span><span class="str2">Field, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">after that,</span><br /><span class="heb">אַ֝חַ֗ר</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The hind or following part</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you can build</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבָנִ֥יתָ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇā·nî·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1129.htm">Strong's 1129: </a> </span><span class="str2">To build</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your house.</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵיתֶֽךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḇê·ṯe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/24-27.htm">Proverbs 24:27 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/24-27.htm">Proverbs 24:27 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/24-27.htm">Proverbs 24:27 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/24-27.htm">Proverbs 24:27 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/24-27.htm">Proverbs 24:27 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/24-27.htm">Proverbs 24:27 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/24-27.htm">Proverbs 24:27 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/24-27.htm">Proverbs 24:27 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/24-27.htm">Proverbs 24:27 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/24-27.htm">Proverbs 24:27 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/24-27.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 24:27 Prepare your work outside and get your (Prov. 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