Proverbs 24

24:1

Do not envy wicked men or desire their company;

24:2

for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble.

24:3

By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established;

24:4

through knowledge its rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.

24:5

A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.

24:6

Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.

24:7

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

24:8

He who plots evil will be called a schemer.

24:9

A foolish scheme is sin, and a mocker is detestable to men.

24:10

If you faint in the day of distress, how small is your strength!

24:11

Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter.

24:12

If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” does 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?

24:13

Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.

24:14

Know therefore that wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, there is a future for you, and your hope will never be cut off.

24:15

Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place.

24:16

For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times.

24:17

Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,

24:18

or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.

24:19

Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked.

24:20

For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.

24:21

My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.

24:22

For they will bring sudden destruction. Who knows what ruin they can bring?

24:23

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

24:24

Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent”—peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him;

24:25

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

24:26

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

24:27

Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house.

24:28

Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.

24:29

Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”

24:30

I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment.

24:31

Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down.

24:32

I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction:

24:33

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,

24:34

and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.