Proverbs 24
1Do not be envious of those who are evil, 1 nor desire to associate with them, 1
2because their hearts plot violence 1 and their lips talk about trouble. 1
3Through wisdom a house is built 1 and by understanding it is established. 1
4By knowledge the rooms are filled 1 with all precious and pleasant riches. 1
5A warrior of wisdom is strong, 1 and a man of knowledge increases his strength; 1
6for by wise direction you can wage your war 1 and with many advisors there is victory. 1
7Wisdom is too high for a fool; 1 in the gate he does not open his mouth. 1
8There is one who plans to do evil— 1 people call him a master of schemes. 1
9A foolish plan is sin 1 and men despise a mocker. 1
10If you become weak with fear in the day of trouble, 1 then your strength is small. 1
11Rescue those who are being taken away to death 1 and hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter. 1
12If you say, “Behold, we knew nothing about this,” 1 does not the one who weighs the heart understand what you are saying? 1 The one who guards your life, does he not know it? 1 Will God not give to each one what he deserves? 1
13My son, eat honey because it is good, 1 because the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. 1
14Such is wisdom for your soul— 1 if you find it, there will be a future 1 and your hope will not be cut off. 1
15Do not lie in wait like the wicked person 1 who attacks the house of the righteous person. 1 Do not destroy his home! 1
16For the righteous person falls down seven times and rises again, 1 but wicked people are brought down by calamity. 1
17Do not celebrate when your enemy falls 1 and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, 1
18or Yahweh will see and disapprove 1 and turn away his wrath from him. 1
19Do not worry because of evildoers, 1 and do not envy wicked people, 1
20for the evil person has no future 1 and the lamp of wicked people will go out. 1
21Fear Yahweh, and fear the king, my son; 1 do not associate with those who rebel against them, 1
22for suddenly their disaster will come 1 and who knows the extent of the destruction that will come from both of them?
23These also are sayings of the wise. 1 Partiality in judging a case at law is not good. 1
24Whoever says to the wicked person, “You are a righteous person,” 1 will be cursed by peoples and hated by nations. 1
25But those who discipline the wicked will have delight 1 and gifts of goodness will come to them. 1
26The one who gives an honest answer 1 gives a kiss on the lips. 1
27Prepare your outdoor work, 1 and make everything ready for yourself in the field; 1 after that, build your house. 1
28Do not bear witness against your neighbor without cause 1 and do not deceive with your lips. 1
29Do not say, “I will do to him what he has done to me; 1 I will pay him back for what he has done.” 1
30I went by the field of a lazy man, 1 past the vineyard of the man having no sense. 1
31Thorns had grown up everywhere, 1 the ground was covered with nettles, 1 and its stone wall was broken down. 1
32Then I saw and considered it; 1 I looked and received instruction. 1
33A little sleep, a little slumber, 1 a little folding of the hands to rest— 1
34and poverty comes marching upon you, 1 and your needs like an armed soldier.