Proverbs 24

Chapter 24

1 Don’t envy evil people
or desire their company.2 For their hearts plot violence,
and their words always stir up trouble.3 A house is built by wisdom
and becomes strong through good sense.4 Through knowledge its rooms are filled
with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.5 The wise are mightier than the strong,t
and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.6 So don’t go to war without wise guidance;
victory depends on having many advisers.7 Wisdom is too lofty for fools.
Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say.8 A person who plans evil
will get a reputation as a troublemaker.9 The schemes of a fool are sinful;
everyone detests a mocker.10 If you fail under pressure,
your strength is too small.11 Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die;
save them as they stagger to their death.12 Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.”
For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.
He who guards your soul knows you knew.
He will repay all people as their actions deserve.13 My child,t eat honey, for it is good,
and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.14 In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul.
If you find it, you will have a bright future,
and your hopes will not be cut short.15 Don’t wait in ambush at the home of the godly,
and don’t raid the house where the godly live.16 The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.17 Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall;
don’t be happy when they stumble.18 For the LORD will be displeased with you
and will turn his anger away from them.19 Don’t fret because of evildoers;
don’t envy the wicked.20 For evil people have no future;
the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.21 My child, fear the LORD and the king.
Don’t associate with rebels,22 for disaster will hit them suddenly.
Who knows what punishment will come
from the LORD and the king?

More Sayings of the Wise

23 Here are some further sayings of the wise:
It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.24 A judge who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”
will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations.25 But it will go well for those who convict the guilty;
rich blessings will be showered on them.26 An honest answer
is like a kiss of friendship.27 Do your planning and prepare your fields
before building your house.28 Don’t testify against your neighbors without cause;
don’t lie about them.29 And don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me!
I’ll get even with them!”30 I walked by the field of a lazy person,
the vineyard of one with no common sense.31 I saw that it was overgrown with nettles.
It was covered with weeds,
and its walls were broken down.32 Then, as I looked and thought about it,
I learned this lesson:33 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—34 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;
scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.

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!