‏ Proverbs 24

Do not EnvySaying 20

1 Do not envy wicked men or desire their company; 2 for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble.

Saying 21

3 By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established; 4 through knowledge its rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.

Saying 22

5 A wise man [is] strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength. 6 Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.

Saying 23

7 Wisdom [is] too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the meeting place.

Saying 24

8 He who plots evil will be called a schemer. 9 A foolish scheme is sin, and a mocker is detestable to men.

Saying 25

10 If you falter in the day of distress, how small [is] your strength! 11 Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter. 12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” will not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?

Saying 26

13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste. 14 Know that wisdom [is sweet] for your soul. If you find it, there is a future [for you] , and your hope will never be cut off.

Saying 27

15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked [man] , near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place. 16 For though a righteous man falls seven times, he will get up, but the wicked will stumble into ruin.

Saying 28

17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, 18 or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.

Saying 29

19 Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked. 20 For the evil [man] has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.

Saying 30

21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious. 22 For [those two] will bring sudden destruction; who knows what ruin [they] can bring?

Further Sayings of the Wise

23 These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good. 24 Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent”— peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him; 25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them. 26 An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips. 27 Complete your outdoor work, and prepare your field; after that, you can build your house. 28 Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. 29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.” 30 I went past the field of a sluggard and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. 31 Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. 32 I observed and took [it] to heart; I looked and received instruction: 33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 34 and poverty will come [upon you] like a robber, and need like a bandit.