Proverbs 24
1 Be not you envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
Don’t be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them;
2 For their heart studies destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief.
3 Through wisdom is an house built; and by understanding it is established:
Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;
4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increases strength.
A wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength,
6 For by wise counsel you shall make your war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
for by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory is in many advisors.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he opens not his mouth in the gate.
Wisdom is too high for a fool. He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.
8 He that devises to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.
9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
11 If you forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
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 knew it not; does not he that ponders the heart consider it? and he that keeps your soul, does not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?
13 My son, eat you honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to your taste:
My son, eat honey, for it is good, the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste;
14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto your soul: when you have found it, then there shall be a reward, and your expectation shall not be cut off.
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 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place;
16 For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
17 Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles:
Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t 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.
lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19 Fret not yourself because of evil men, neither be you envious at the wicked:
Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked;
20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
for there will be no reward to the evil man. The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
21 My son, fear you the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
My son, fear the LORD and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious,
22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knows the ruin of them both?
for their calamity will rise suddenly. Who knows what destruction may come from them both?
23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgement is not good.
24 He that says unto the wicked, You are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall detest him:
He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—
25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.
26 Every man shall kiss his lips that gives a right answer.
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
27 Prepare your work without, and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house.
Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
28 Be not a witness against your neighbour without cause; and deceive not with your lips.
Don’t be a witness against your neighbour without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.
29 Say not, I will do so to him as he has done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
Don’t 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 slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding.
31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
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 it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,
34 So shall your poverty come as one that travels; and your lack as an armed man.
so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.
