Proverbs 24

24 Don’t envy evil men m

or desire to be with them, n

2 for their hearts plan violence,

and their words stir up trouble. o

3 A house is built by wisdom, p

and it is established by understanding;

4 by knowledge the rooms are filled

with every precious and beautiful treasure.

5 A wise warrior is better than a strong one, q

and a man of knowledge than one of strength; r s

6 for you should wage war with sound guidance—

victory comes with many counselors. t

7 Wisdom is inaccessible to u a fool; v

he does not open his mouth at the * gate. w

8 The one who plots evil x

will be called a schemer.

9 A foolish scheme is sin,

and a mocker is detestable to people.

10 If you do nothing in a difficult time,

your strength is limited.

11 Rescue those being taken off to death,

and save those stumbling toward slaughter. y

12 If you say, “But we didn’t know about this,”

won’t He who weighs hearts z consider it?

Won’t He who protects your life a know?

Won’t He repay a person according to his work? b

13 Eat honey, c my son, for it is good,

and the honeycomb is sweet to your palate; d

14 realize that wisdom is the same for you. e

If you find it, you will have a future,

and your hope will never fade. f

15 Wicked man, don’t set an ambush,

at the camp of the righteous man; g

don’t destroy his dwelling.

16 Though a righteous man falls seven times,

he will get up, h

but the wicked will stumble into ruin. i

17 Don’t gloat when your enemy falls,

and don’t let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, j

18 or the Lord will see, be displeased,

and turn His wrath away from him.

19 Don’t be agitated by evildoers,

and don’t envy the wicked. k

20 For the evil have no future; l

the lamp of the wicked will be put out. m

21 My son, * fear the Lord, as well as the king, n

and don’t associate with rebels, o

22 for destruction from them will come suddenly;

who knows what distress these two can bring?

23 These sayings also belong to the wise: p

It is not good to show partiality in judgment. q

24 Whoever says to the * guilty, “You are innocent” r—

people will curse him, s and tribes will denounce him;

25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty,

and a generous blessing will come to them.

26 He who gives an honest answer

gives a kiss on the lips.

27 Complete your outdoor work, and prepare your field; t

afterward, build your house.

28 Don’t testify against your neighbor without cause. u

Don’t deceive with your lips.

29 Don’t say, “I’ll do to him what he did to me;

I’ll repay the man for what he has done.” v

30 I went by the field of a slacker

and by the vineyard of a man lacking sense.

31 Thistles had come up everywhere,

weeds covered the ground, w

and the stone wall was ruined.

32 I saw, and took it to heart;

I looked, and received instruction:

33 a little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the arms to rest,

34 and your poverty will come like a robber,

your need, like a bandit. x