Proverbs 24

¹ Don’t be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them;

² for their hearts plot violence

³ Through wisdom a house is built;

⁴ by knowledge the rooms are filled

⁵ A wise man has great power.

⁶ for by wise guidance you wage your war,

⁷ Wisdom is too high for a fool.

⁸ One who plots to do evil

⁹ The schemes of folly are sin.

¹⁰ If you falter in the time of trouble,

¹¹ 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 didn’t know this, ” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it?

¹³ My son, eat honey, for it is good,

¹⁴ so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul.

¹⁵ Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place;

¹⁶ for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again,

¹⁷ 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,

¹⁹ Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked;

²⁰ for there will be no reward to the evil man.

²¹ My son, fear the LORD and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious,

²² for their calamity will rise suddenly.

²³ These also are sayings of the wise:

²⁴ He who says to the wicked, “ You are righteous, ”

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

²⁶ An honest answer

²⁷ Prepare your work outside, Afterwards, build your house.

²⁸ Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.

²⁹ Don’t say, “ I will do to him as he has done to me;

³⁰ I went by the field of the sluggard,

³¹ Behold, it was all grown over with thorns.

³² Then I saw, and considered well.

³³ a little sleep, a little slumber,

³⁴ so your poverty will come as a robber