24 Do not envy the wicked,

nor desire to be with them;

2 for their minds devise violence,

and their lips talk of mischief.

3 By wisdom a house is built,

and by understanding it is established;

4 by knowledge the rooms are filled

with all precious and pleasant riches.

5 Wise warriors are mightier than strong ones,a

and those who have knowledge than those who have strength;

6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war,

and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

7 Wisdom is too high for fools;

in the gate they do not open their mouths.

8 Whoever plans to do evil

will be called a mischief-maker.

9 The devising of folly is sin,

and the scoffer is an abomination to all.

10 If you faint in the day of adversity,

your strength being small;

11 if you hold back from rescuing those taken away to death,

those who go staggering to the slaughter;

12 if you say, “Look, we did not know this”—

does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?

Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it?

And will he not repay all according to their deeds?

13 My child, eat honey, for it is good,

and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.

14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul;

if you find it, you will find a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.

15 Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against the home of the righteous;

do no violence to the place where the righteous live;

16 for though they fall seven times, they will rise again;

but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

17 Do not rejoice when your enemies fall,

and do not let your heart be glad when they stumble,

18 or else the Lord will see it and be displeased,

and turn away his anger from them.

19 Do not fret because of evildoers.

Do not envy the wicked;

20 for the evil have no future;

the lamp of the wicked will go out.

21 My child, fear the Lord and the king,

and do not disobey either of them;b

22 for disaster comes from them suddenly,

and who knows the ruin that both can bring?