Proverbs 24
1Don’t be envious of evil men; 2 neither desire to be with them: 1
2for their hearts plot violence, 2 and their lips talk about mischief. 1
3Through wisdom a house is built; 2 by understanding it is established; 1
4by knowledge the rooms are filled 2 with all rare and beautiful treasure. 1
5A wise man has great power; 2 and a knowledgeable man increases strength; 1
6for by wise guidance you wage your war; 2 and victory is in many advisers. 1
7Wisdom is too high for a fool: 2 he does not open his mouth in the gate. 1
8One who plots to do evil 2 will be called a schemer. 1
9The schemes of folly are habitual sin ·missing the mark·. 2 The mocker is detested by men. 1
10If you falter in the time of trouble, 2 your strength is small. 1
11Rescue those who are being led away to death! 2 Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter! 1
12If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this;” 2 does not he who weighs the hearts consider it? 1 He who keeps your soul, does not he know it? 2 Surely he shall render to every man according to his work. + 24:12. Quoted in Rom 2:6; 2 Tim 4:14 1
13My son, eat honey, for it is good; 2 the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste: 1
14so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; 2 if you have found it, then there will be a reward, 2 your hope will not be cut off. 1
15Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the upright. 2 Don’t destroy his resting place: 1
16for a upright man falls seven times, and rises up again; 2 but the wicked are overthrown by calamity. 1
17Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. 2 Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown; 1
18lest Adonai see it, and it displease him, 2 and he turn away his wrath from him. 1
19Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers; 2 neither be envious of the wicked: 1
20for there will be no reward to the evil man; 2 and the lamp candle of the wicked shall be snuffed out. 1
21My son, fear Adonai and the king. + 24:21. Quoted in 1 Pet 2:17 2 Don’t join those who are rebellious: 1
22for their calamity will rise suddenly; 2 the destruction from them both— who knows?
23These also are sayings of the wise. 1 To show partiality in judgment is not + 24:23. Quoted in James 2:1 good. 1
24He who says to the wicked, “You are upright;” 2 peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him— 1
25but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, 2 and a rich blessing will come on them. 1
26An honest answer 2 is like a kiss on the lips. 1
27Prepare your work outside, 2 and get your fields ready. 2 Afterwards, build your house. 1
28Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. 2 Don’t deceive with your lips. 1
29Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; 2 I will render to the man according to his work.” 1
30I went by the field of the sluggard, 2 by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 1
31Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. 2 Its surface was covered with nettles, 2 and its stone wall was broken down. 1
32Then I saw, and considered well. 2 I saw, and received instruction: 1
33a little sleep, a little slumber, 2 a little folding of the hands to sleep; 1
34so your poverty will come as a robber, 2 and your want as an armed man.