Proverbs 24
1 Do not be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them:
[My] son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them.
2 for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief.
For their heart meditates falsehoods, and their lips speak mischiefs.
3 Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;
A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding.
4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
By discretion the chambers are filled with all precious and excellent wealth.
5 A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;
A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate.
6 for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors.
War is carried on with generalship, and aid is supplied to the heart of a counsellor.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesn't open his mouth in the gate.
Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord,
8 One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.
but deliberate in council. Death befalls uninstructed [men].
9 The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
The fools also dies in sins; and uncleanness [attaches] to a pestilent man.
10 If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, until he be utterly consumed.
11 Rescue those who are being led away to death. Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter.
Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeem them that are appointed to be slain; spare not [thy help].
12 If you say, "Look, we did not 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?
But if thou shouldest say, I know not this man; know that the Lord knows the hearts of all; and he that formed breath for all, he knows all things, who renders to every man according to his works.
13 My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste.
[My] son, eat honey, for the honeycomb is good, that thy throat may be sweetened.
14 Likewise, know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you have found it, then there will be a reward, and your hope will not be cut off.
Thus shalt thou perceive wisdom in thy soul: for if thou find it, thine end shall be good, and hope shall not fail thee.
15 Do not lie in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Do not destroy his resting place.
Bring not an ungodly man into the dwelling of the righteous: neither be deceived by the feeding of the belly.
16 For the righteous may fall seven times, but gets up again, but the wicked will stumble in adversity.
For a righteous man will fall seven times, and rise [again]: but the ungodly shall be without strength in troubles.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls. Do not let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;
If thine enemy should fall, rejoice not over him, neither be elated at his overthrow.
18 lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
For the Lord will see [it], and it will not please him, and he will turn away his wrath from him.
19 Do not fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked:
Rejoice not in evil-doers, neither be envious of sinners.
20 for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.
For the evil man shall have no posterity: and the light of the wicked shall be put out.
21 My son, fear the LORD and the king. Do not join those who are rebellious:
[My] son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either of them.
22 for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both—who knows?
For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance [inflicted] by both?
23 These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.
And this thing I say to you that are wise [for you] to learn: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24 He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous;" peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him—
He that says of the ungodly, He is righteous, shall be cursed by peoples, and hateful among the nations.
25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.
But they that reprove [him] shall appear more excellent, and blessing shall come upon them;
26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
and [men] will kiss lips that answer well.
27 Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
Prepare thy works for [thy] going forth, and prepare thyself for the field; and come after me, and thou shalt rebuild thine house.
28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Do not deceive with your lips.
Be not a false witness against thy [fellow] citizen, neither exaggerate with thy lips.
29 Do not say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."
Say not, As he has treated me, so will I treat him, and I will avenge myself on him for that wherein he has injured me.
30 I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard.
31 Look, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
If thou let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute, and his stone walls are broken down.
32 Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might receive instruction.
33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;
[The sluggard says, ]I slumber a little, and I sleep a little, and for a little while I fold my arms across [my] breast.
34 so your poverty will come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
But if thou do this, thy poverty will come speedily; and thy want like a swift courier.
