Proverbs 24

1 Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them;2 For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking.3 Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;4 By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.5 A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;6 For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.7 Wisdom is too lofty for a fool; He does not open his mouth in the gate.8 He who plots to do evil Will be called a schemer.9 The devising of foolishness is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men.10  If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.11 Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.12 If you say, Surely we did not know this, Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?13 My son, eat honey because it is good, And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste;14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off.15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not plunder his resting place;16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;18 Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him.19 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked;20 For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.21 My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those given to change;22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin those two can bring?

Further Sayings of the Wise

23 These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.24 He who says to the wicked, You are righteous, Him the people will curse; Nations will abhor him.25 But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, And a good blessing will come upon them.26 He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.27 Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house.28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, For would you deceive with your lips?29 Do not say, I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.30 I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;31 And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down.32 When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction:33 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest;34 So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.

PROVERBS 24

–19–

1 Don't be jealous of crooks
or want to be their friends.

2 All they think about
and talk about
is violence and cruelty.

–20–

3 Use wisdom and understanding
to establish your home;

4 let good sense fill the rooms
with priceless treasures.

–21–

5 Wisdom brings strength,
and knowledge gives power.

6 Battles are won
by listening to advice
and making a lot of plans.

–22–

7 Wisdom is too much for fools!
Their advice is no good.

–23–

8 No one but troublemakers
think up trouble.

9 Everyone hates senseless fools
who think up ways to sin.

–24–

10 Don't give up and be helpless
in times of trouble.

–25–

11 Don't fail to rescue those
who are doomed to die.

12 Don't say, “I didn't know it!”
God can read your mind.
He watches each of us
and knows our thoughts.
And God will pay us back
for what we do.

–26–

13 Honey is good for you,
my children,
and it tastes sweet.

14 Wisdom is like honey
for your life—
if you find it,
your future is bright.

–27–

15 Don't be a cruel person
who attacks good people
and hurts their families.

16 Even if good people
fall seven times,
they will get back up.
But when trouble strikes
the wicked,
that's the end of them.

–28–

17 Don't be happy
to see your enemies trip
and fall down.

18 The [Lord] will find out
and be unhappy.
Then he will stop
being angry with them.

–29–

19 Don't let evil people
worry you
or make you jealous.

20 They will soon be gone
like the flame of a lamp
that burns out.

–30–

21 My children, you must respect
the [Lord] and the king,
and you must not make friends
with anyone who rebels
against either of them.

22 Who knows what sudden disaster
the [Lord] or a ruler
might bring?

More Sayings That Make //Good Sense

23 Here are some more sayings
that make good sense:
When you judge,
you must be fair.

24 If you let the guilty
go free,
people of all nations
will hate and curse you.

25 But if you punish the guilty,
things will go well for you,
and you will prosper.

26 Giving an honest answer
is a sign
of true friendship.

27 Get your fields ready
and plant your crops
before starting a home.

28 Don't accuse anyone
who isn't guilty.
Don't ever tell a lie

29 or say to someone,
“I'll get even with you!”

30 I once walked by the field
and the vineyard
of a lazy fool.

31 Thorns and weeds
were everywhere,
and the stone wall
had fallen down.

32 When I saw this,
it taught me a lesson:

33  t Sleep a little. Doze a little.
Fold your hands
and twiddle your thumbs.

34 Suddenly poverty hits you
and everything is gone!