Proverbs 24

1Don’t be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them: 2and their lips talk about mischief. for their hearts plot violence, 3by understanding it is established; Through wisdom a house is built; 4with all rare and beautiful treasure. by knowledge the rooms are filled 5and a knowledgeable man increases strength; A wise man has great power; 6and victory is in many advisors. for by wise guidance you wage your war; 7he doesn’t open his mouth in the gate. Wisdom is too high for a fool: 8will be called a schemer. One who plots to do evil 9The mocker is detested by men. The schemes of folly are sin. 10your strength is small. If you falter in the time of trouble, 11Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter! Rescue those who are being led away to death! 12doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work? If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this”; He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? 13the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste: My son, eat honey, for it is good; 14if you have found it, then there will be a reward, your hope will not be cut off. so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; 15Don’t destroy his resting place: Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. 16but the wicked are overthrown by calamity. for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; 17Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown; Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. 18and he turn away his wrath from him. lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, 19neither be envious of the wicked: Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers; 20and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out. for there will be no reward to the evil man; 21Don’t join those who are rebellious: My son, fear Yahweh and the king. 22the destruction from them both—who knows? for their calamity will rise suddenly; 23To show partiality in judgment is not good. These also are sayings of the wise. 24peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him— He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous”; 25and a rich blessing will come on them. but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, 26is like a kiss on the lips. An honest answer 27and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house. Prepare your work outside, 28Don’t deceive with your lips. Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. 29I will render to the man according to his work.” Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; 30by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; I went by the field of the sluggard, 31Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. 32I saw, and received instruction: Then I saw, and considered well. 33a little folding of the hands to sleep; a little sleep, a little slumber, 34and your want as an armed man. so your poverty will come as a robber,