Proverbs 24
1Don’t envy the evil
or desire to be with them,2
3for their hearts plan violence, and their words stir up trouble.4
5A house is built by wisdom, and it is established by understanding;6
7by knowledge the rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.8
9A wise warrior is better than a strong one, and a man of knowledge than one of strength;10
11for you should wage war with sound guidance — victory comes with many counselors.12
13Wisdom is inaccessible to a fool; he does not open his mouth at the city gate.14
15The one who plots evil will be called a schemer.16
17A foolish scheme is sin, and a mocker is detestable to people.18
19If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited.20
21Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter.22
23If you say, “But we didn’t know about this,” won’t he who weighs hearts consider it? Won’t he who protects your life know? Won’t he repay a person according to his work?24
25Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your palate;26
27realize that wisdom is the same for you. If you find it, you will have a future, and your hope will never fade.28
29Don’t set an ambush, you wicked one, at the camp of the righteous man; don’t destroy his dwelling.30
31Though a righteous person falls seven times, he will get up, but the wicked will stumble into ruin.32
33Don’t gloat when your enemy falls, and don’t let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,34
35or the Lord will see, be displeased, and turn his wrath away from him.36
37Don’t be agitated by evildoers, and don’t envy the wicked.38
39For the evil have no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.40
41My son, fear the Lord, as well as the king, and don’t associate with rebels,42
43for destruction will come suddenly from them; who knows what distress these two can bring?44
45These sayings also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.46
47Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent” — peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him;48
49but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a generous blessing will come to them.50
51He who gives an honest answer gives a kiss on the lips.52
53Complete your outdoor work, and prepare your field; afterward, build your house.54
55Don’t testify against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.56
57Don’t say, “I’ll do to him what he did to me; I’ll repay the man for what he has done.”58
59I went by the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of one lacking sense.60
61Thistles had come up everywhere, weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was ruined.62
63I saw, and took it to heart; I looked, and received instruction:64
65a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest,66
67and your poverty will come like a robber, and your need, like a bandit.68
3for their hearts plan violence, and their words stir up trouble.4
5A house is built by wisdom, and it is established by understanding;6
7by knowledge the rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.8
9A wise warrior is better than a strong one, and a man of knowledge than one of strength;10
11for you should wage war with sound guidance — victory comes with many counselors.12
13Wisdom is inaccessible to a fool; he does not open his mouth at the city gate.14
15The one who plots evil will be called a schemer.16
17A foolish scheme is sin, and a mocker is detestable to people.18
19If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited.20
21Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter.22
23If you say, “But we didn’t know about this,” won’t he who weighs hearts consider it? Won’t he who protects your life know? Won’t he repay a person according to his work?24
25Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your palate;26
27realize that wisdom is the same for you. If you find it, you will have a future, and your hope will never fade.28
29Don’t set an ambush, you wicked one, at the camp of the righteous man; don’t destroy his dwelling.30
31Though a righteous person falls seven times, he will get up, but the wicked will stumble into ruin.32
33Don’t gloat when your enemy falls, and don’t let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,34
35or the Lord will see, be displeased, and turn his wrath away from him.36
37Don’t be agitated by evildoers, and don’t envy the wicked.38
39For the evil have no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.40
41My son, fear the Lord, as well as the king, and don’t associate with rebels,42
43for destruction will come suddenly from them; who knows what distress these two can bring?44
45These sayings also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.46
47Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent” — peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him;48
49but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a generous blessing will come to them.50
51He who gives an honest answer gives a kiss on the lips.52
53Complete your outdoor work, and prepare your field; afterward, build your house.54
55Don’t testify against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.56
57Don’t say, “I’ll do to him what he did to me; I’ll repay the man for what he has done.”58
59I went by the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of one lacking sense.60
61Thistles had come up everywhere, weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was ruined.62
63I saw, and took it to heart; I looked, and received instruction:64
65a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest,66
67and your poverty will come like a robber, and your need, like a bandit.68