Proverbs 24

1 Do not be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them;

2 for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief.

3 Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;

4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.

5 A wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength,

6 for by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory is in many advisors.

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool. He does not open his mouth in the gate.

8 One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.

9 The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.

10 If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.

11 Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!

12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does not he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?

13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste;

14 so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul. If you have found it, then there will be a reward: Your hope will not be cut off.

15 Do not lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Do not destroy his resting place;

16 for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls. Do not let your heart be glad when he is overthrown,

18 lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

19 Do not fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked;

20 for there will be no reward to the evil man. The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.

21 My son, fear the LORD and the king. Do not join those who are rebellious,

22 for their calamity will rise suddenly. Who knows what destruction may come from them both?

23 These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.

24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—

25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.

26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

27 Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.

28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause. 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 by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding.

31 Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

32 Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:

33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,

34 so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.