Proverbs 24
Proverbs 24
Don’t be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them; Verse 2. for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief. Verse 3. Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established; Verse 4. by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure. Verse 5. A wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength, Verse 6. for by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory is in many advisors. Verse 7. Wisdom is too high for a fool. He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate. Verse 8. One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer. Verse 9. The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men. Verse 10. If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small. Verse 11. Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter! Verse 12. If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not give to every man according to his work? Verse 13. My son, eat honey, for it is good, the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste; Verse 14. so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul. If you have found it, then there will be a reward: Your hope will not be cut off. Verse 15. Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place; Verse 16. for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity. Verse 17. Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown, Verse 18. lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. Verse 19. Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked; Verse 20. for there will be no reward to the evil man. The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. Verse 21. My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious, Verse 22. for their calamity will rise suddenly. Who knows what destruction may come from them both?
Verse 23. These also are sayings of the wise:
To show partiality in judgment is not good. Verse 24. He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him— Verse 25. but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them. Verse 26. An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. Verse 27. Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house. Verse 28. Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips. Verse 29. Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.” Verse 30. I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding. Verse 31. Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Verse 32. Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction: Verse 33. a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep, Verse 34. so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.